Analysis of bones found in 1987 suggest Jurassic-era sauropod was animal with longest known neck
A dinosaur that roamed east Asia more than 160m years ago has been named a contender for the animal with the longest neck ever known.
The fossilised remains of the creature were recovered in 1987 from 162 million-year-old rocks in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of north-westThe dinosaur was one of the huge herbivorous sauropods that grew to 50 metres from snout to tail and weighed more than 70 tonnes. Despite only a handful of bones remaining of the beast, researchers were able to estimate the length of its neck by comparing the remains with complete fossils belonging to closely related dinosaurs.
“Unless we’re willing to believe that we just so happened to discover the largest single individual sauropod that ever existed, our default assumption should always be that there were larger animals out there. We can only hope that some of these titans fossilised, and are just waiting to be discovered by paleontologists.”
The sauropods’ lifestyle was impressively successful, evolving early in dinosaur history and lasting until the final days of their reign during the mass extinction event triggered by an asteroid impact 66m years ago. The only dinosaurs that survived are the ancestors of modern birds.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
AUKUS analysis: Defence Minister’s ‘ominous’ China warningDefence Minister Richard Marles has delivered “one of the most ominous warnings” relating to the reasons behind a heavily expensive AUKUS deal, says Sky News host Laura Jayes. “It answered the why – why we are spending so much on these nuclear-powered submarines?” Ms Jayes said. Defence Minister Richard Marles has stated in a media conference on Tuesday, “the biggest conventional military build-up … seen since the end of the second world war” is happening in our region. “That is all about China - not mentioned by word, but ‘the biggest conventional military build-up’ – well it cannot be about anyone else,” she said.
Read more »
Black Monday in the bond market points to pain aheadOPINION: The biggest fall in short-term bond yields since the 1987 crash is sending investors and central bankers a clear message about what’s to come after the SVB collapse.
Read more »
NRL Fantasy teams analysis: Round 3There are a couple of big inclusions on the Fantasy front for Round 3, while a handful of rookies present the opportunity to pick up a cash cow or two!
Read more »
Pacificists claim nuclear subs will ‘cause’ a war with ChinaSome 'pacifists' have claimed that Australia's nuclear submarines program will be the 'cause' of a war with China in an ABC radio interview on Tuesday, says Sky News host Caleb Bond. 'We just need to cozy up and be friendly with China, and they won't come and invade us,' he said. 'They're basically saying - yeah, that's all fine when China comes, let's just lay down and let them do it. They may as well be Chinese Communist Party seals - they are literally running the China line.'
Read more »
'We need to respond': Marles' Russia and China fears as he defends subs dealRichard Marles has described Australia's significant military upgrade of eight nuclear-powered submarines as the 'biggest defence procurement in Australia's history', as pressure grows in the Indo-Pacific and Eastern Europe.
Read more »