Earlier this year, researchers revealed the discovery of a new titanosaur from Patagonia.  The dinosaur named Titanomachya gimenezi comes from northern Chubut Province in central Patagonia. Several titanosaur taxa have been reported from northern Patagonia, as well as few titanosaurs from southern Patagonia. However, titanosaurs from the end-Cretaceous of central Patagonia are poorly known. The fossil specimen represents an adult animal. It is described as a small-bodied saltasauroid. However, despite being small by titanosaur standards, it has been estimated that Titanomachya weighed around 8 tonnes (weight estimates range from 5.8 to 9.8 tonnes).

Titanomachya gimenezi life reconstruction. Picture credit: Gabriel Diaz.

Picture credit: Gabriel Diaz

Fossils from the La Colonia Formation

The fossils come from La Colonia Formation and the research team consisted of Agustín Pérez Moreno, Leonardo Salgado, José Luis Carballido, Alejandro Otero, and Diego Pol. These eminent researchers herald from a variety of Argentinian institutions including the Museo de La Plata (MLP), the Museo Paleontológico Egidio Feruglio (MEF) and the Fundación Félix de Azara-Universidad Maimónides.

Titanomachya gimenezi fossil excavation. Picture credit: Vincent Brusca.

Picture credit: Vincent Brusca

The strata in which the fossils were found date from the Upper Cretaceous (Maastrichtian faunal stage).  This indicates that Titanomachya gimenezi roamed this part of Gondwana around seventy million years ago.  The genus name is derived from the Titanomachy, a mythical battle fought by the Olympian gods against the Titans in Greek mythology.  In this battle, the Titans lost.  The name is appropriate and fitting since Titanomachya comes from the time when the titanosaurs were heading for extinction.  The species name honours the late Dr Olga Giménez.  Dr Giménez played a pivotal role in the study of vertebrate fossils found in central Patagonia.  She was the first palaeontologist to study the dinosaurs of the Chubut province.

Field team members excavating the fossils. Picture credit: Vincent Brusca.

Picture credit: Vincent Brusca

Studying the Fossil Material

More than fifteen scientists have been involved in the field work.  The excavation work was carried out over two years and the fossil material found consists of elements from the limbs along with fragments of ribs and a caudal vertebra.  Once exposed, the fossils were jacketed with burlap and plaster and sent to the MEF laboratories for preparation.

Skeletal reconstruction of Titanomachya gimenezi. The bones coloured blue represent the known fossil material. Picture credit: Gabriel Lio.

Picture credit: Gabriel Lio

This newly described titanosaur is the smallest known from central Patagonia.  Titanomachya (pronounced tie-tan-om-mack-ee-ah), may have measured around ten metres long when fully grown.  It was similar in size to Neuquensaurus australis and Saltasaurus loricatus, to which it was closely related.  The research team identified several unique autapomorphies which allowed them to confidently erect a new taxon.  For example, the astragalus (bone from the ankle), demonstrates unique morphology.  It shows intermediate traits between the Saltasauroidea titanosaurs and the Colossosauria clade of titanosaurs.  These autapomorphies highlight the significance of this discovery as it provides an evolutionary link between different types of sauropod.

Furthermore, phylogenetic studies have demonstrated that Titanomachya is a derived titanosaur. It is a member of the great Saltasauroidea lineage.

Titanomachya gimenezi fossils exposed on the surface. Picture credit: Vincent Brusca.

Picture credit: Vincent Brusca

Titanomachya gimenezi and the South America Titanosaur Biota

The La Colonia formation has also yielded the famous theropod Carnotaurus as well as other material.  Fossils representing other carnivorous dinosaurs have been discovered.  For instance, the recently described abelisaurid Koleken (K. inakayali).

To read more about Koleken: A New Abelisaurid from Southern Argentina.

In addition, the remains of ornithischian dinosaurs have been found.  However, Titanomachya gimenezi represents one of only a handful of defined taxa and the first sauropod known from this formation.  This discovery sheds light on the diversity of the region’s ecosystems at the very end of the Age of Dinosaurs.  Moreover, it provides crucial data regarding the composition of sauropod populations in Patagonia during the Maastrichtian.

The researchers postulate that distinct sauropod faunas existed in different parts of Patagonia and also in Brazil over the Campanian and Maastrichtian Epochs. In northern Patagonia, aeolosaurines and saltasaurines dominated, whilst in southern Patagonia, the sauropod biota mostly comprised colossosaurians and other large titanosaurs. In contrast, the less well-known sauropod fauna from central Patagonia seems to have consisted of small-bodied saltasauroids such as Titanomachya along with members of the aeolosaurini and derived eutitanosaurs.

Titanomachya gimenezi in its low-lying coastal habitat. Picture credit: Gabriel Diaz.

Picture credit: Gabriel Diaz

Further Research Planned

Summarising their research to date, the scientists suggest that Titanomachya provides a new perspective on the rich history of sauropods in Patagonia.  In addition, this unique specimen opens the door to future research that will explore the diversity and evolution of these amazing herbivores.

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of corresponding author Dr Pérez Moreno CONICET (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the compilation of this article.

The scientific paper: “A new titanosaur from the La Colonia Formation (Campanian-Maastrichtian), Chubut Province, Argentina” by Agustín Pérez-Moreno, Leonardo Salgado, José L. Carballido, Alejandro Otero and Diego Pol published in Historical Biology.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Models and Toys.

During a short visit to Cambridge, Everything Dinosaur team members were able to examine a specimen of the remarkable Wollemi pine (Wollemia nobilis). This tree is regarded as a “living fossil”.  However, its fossil record is extremely poor and scientists are uncertain of its phylogeny.  What is certain, is that this gymnosperm is exceptionally rare.

In 1994, a small grove of fewer than a hundred Wollemi pines were found in a deep gorge in the Blue Mountains (New South Wales). The location remains a secret as this sheltered area is the only known habitat for these remarkable trees. This amazing discovery sparked a global effort to study and conserve the Wollemi pine, which is now considered one of the rarest trees on the planet. Two Wollemi pines have been potted into large planters flanking the glasshouses at the Cambridge University Botanic Gardens. In addition, a third specimen is located close to another ancient type of tree, a Dawn Redwood.

A young Wollemi pine (Wollemia nobilis) at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Extremely Rare Wollemi Pine

Ironically, the Wollemi pine (Wollemia nobilis) is not a pine.  It is thought to be a member of the Araucariaceae, a family of coniferous trees with three living genera, Agathis, the Wollemi pine and the Araucaria (monkey puzzle tree).   These trees flourished during the Mesozoic. They had a global distribution, although these days they are mostly confined to the Southern Hemisphere.  Wollemia nobilis shares several characteristics with both Araucaria and Agathis. Genetic studies have proved controversial, as they lacked consistency of method. However, many palaeobotanists consider Wollemia nobilis as a sister taxon to Agathis within the Araucariaceae and therefore more closely related to Agathis than it is to Araucaria.

A piece of plant prehistoric history. A small Wollemi pine surrounded by ferns and horsetails. These are ancient plants representing taxa that evolved before flowering plants. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Models of Prehistoric Plants

For dinosaur model fans and collectors keen to build dioramas, there are not that many prehistoric plant models.  Safari Ltd used to include three prehistoric plant models within their range (Tree fern, Agathis and a Cycad). Sadly, all three of these figures have been retired.  Thankfully, diorama builders can rely on CollectA to provide models of prehistoric plants.  The company has introduced replicas of many prehistoric trees and plants.  For instance, CollectA have made a replica of Williamsonia, an example of a member of the Bennettitales Order of seed plants.

The CollectA Williamsonia prehistoric plant, a great addition to dinosaur dioramas.

To view the CollectA not-to-scale model range: CollectA Prehistoric Life Models.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“It was fascinating to learn more about the remarkable Wollemi pine.  The Cambridge University Botanic Gardens are amazing.  We are so pleased that model makers and diorama builders still have the CollectA prehistoric plants to help them with their prehistoric landscapes.”

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Prehistoric Animal and Plants Models.

Newly published research suggests that large pterosaurs probably used all four limbs to propel themselves into the air, as seen in bats today.  Take-off is a vital part of powered flight.  The physical effort required to launch is dictated by body mass.  The bigger and heavier you are, the greater the physical effort required to take to the air.  This rule likely constrains the size of birds, yet extinct pterosaurs are known to have reached far larger sizes. How did pterosaurs launch?

The new study, published in the journal “PeerJ” suggest that large pterosaurs took off using a similar method as bats.  In essence, the researchers conclude that big flying reptiles used all four limbs to propel themselves into the air. This is referred to as “quadrupedal launching”.

The Mojo Fun Tropeognathus pterosaur model.  The researchers used a life-size computer-generated model of an ornithocheirid pterosaur such as Tropeognathus to conduct their research.

The picture above shows a typical ornithocheirid pterosaur (Tropeognathus). This is a model from the Mojo Fun prehistoric and extinct range.

To view this range of prehistoric animal figures: Mojo Fun Prehistoric Animal Models.

Quadrupedal Launching of Large Pterosaurs

This research helps scientists to understand the unique anatomy and biology of the Pterosauria.  In addition, it provides a new perspective on how flying reptiles became airborne, despite some taxa having wingspans in excess of ten metres. The scientific paper sheds new light on the flight initiating jumping ability of these archosaurs.

The research was conducted by scientists at the University of Bristol, the University of Keele, Liverpool John Moores University and Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil.  The team constructed a computer model of the skeleton and muscles of an ornithocheiraean pterosaur with a wingspan of five metres. Thirty-four key muscles were modelled to estimate limb movements through three alternative take-off motions.

The three alternative take-off motions:

• a vertical jump using just the hind legs, as seen in many ground-dwelling birds.
• a less vertical jump using just the legs, more similar to the jump used by birds that fly frequently.
• a four-limbed jump using the wings as well in a motion more akin to the take-off jump of a bat.

By reproducing these take-off motions using the large pterosaur model, the team were able to understand the forces generated to push the reptile into the air.

A replica of an ornithocheirid pterosaur based on Cambridge Greensand fossil remains. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Bigger the Animal the Greater the Challenge of Becoming Airborne

Lead author of the study, Dr Ben Griffin (University of Bristol), explained:

“Larger animals have greater challenges to overcome in order to fly making the ability of animals as large as pterosaurs to do so especially fascinating. Unlike birds which mainly rely on their hindlimbs, our models indicate that pterosaurs were more likely to rely on all four of their limbs to propel themselves into the air.”

The researchers examined one of the long-standing questions about the underlying biomechanics of the Pterosauria. This study not only enhances the understanding of pterosaur biology but also provides broader insights into the limits and dynamics of flight in large vertebrates. By comparing pterosaurs with modern birds and bats, this research highlights the remarkable evolutionary solutions to the challenge of powered flight.

There are no living analogues for large pterosaurs. Hence, scientists rely on computer modelling to provide data on these remarkable creatures. After all, pterosaurs were the first vertebrates to evolve powered flight.

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the University of Bristol in the compilation of this article.

The scientific paper: “Modelling take-off moment arms in an ornithocheiraean pterosaur” by Benjamin W. Griffin​, Elizabeth Martin-Silverstone, Rodrigo V. Pêgas, Erik Anthony Meilak, Fabiana R. Costa, Colin Palmer and Emily J. Rayfield published in PeerJ.

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Pterosaur Models and Toys.