Nagatitan, Largest Dinosaur in Southeast Asia, Identified in Thailand
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Researchers have formally identified Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis, a new species of long-necked dinosaur discovered in Thailand. It is the largest dinosaur ever found in Southeast Asia, estimated to be about 27 meters long and weigh 27 tonnes. The discovery, detailed in the journal Scientific Reports, adds a fourteenth named dinosaur species to Thailand's fossil record.
Facts First
- A new dinosaur species, Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis, has been identified in Thailand
- Considered the largest dinosaur discovered in Southeast Asia, estimated at 27 meters long and 27 tonnes
- Belongs to the sauropod group of giant plant-eating dinosaurs
- Lived during the Early Cretaceous period between 100 and 120 million years ago
- Named after the mythological Naga serpent and the Greek Titans, honoring Chaiyaphum province
What Happened
A collaborative team led by University College London (UCL), Mahasarakham University, Suranaree University of Technology, and Thailand's Sirindhorn Museum has identified and named a new dinosaur species: Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis. Fossils were first uncovered near a pond in northeastern Thailand approximately ten years ago, with excavations occurring between 2016 and 2019 and restarting in 2024 after new funding was secured. The dinosaur's size was determined by studying vertebrae, ribs, pelvis bones, and leg bones, including a front leg bone measuring 1.78 meters long. The findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports.
Why this Matters to You
This discovery expands the scientific understanding of prehistoric life in Southeast Asia. It may lead to increased interest and tourism in Thailand's fossil sites and museums, such as the Thainosaur Museum in Bangkok where a life-size reconstruction is displayed. For those interested in natural history, it provides a tangible connection to a giant creature that lived in your region over 100 million years ago.
What's Next
The research team, which includes lead author Thitiwoot Sethapanichsakul, a Ph.D. student at UCL, may continue excavations at the site. Further study of Nagatitan and its habitat could provide more insights into the ecosystem of the Early Cretaceous period in Asia, which included other dinosaurs, crocodiles, and flying reptiles. The discovery is likely to spur more paleontological research in Thailand, where the first dinosaur was named in 1986.