Scientists excited to find complete skull from massive dinosaur

Titanosaurs roamed the countryside about 95 million years ago in the area that is now Patagonia in Argentina, and while many skeletal remains have been found from the massive beasts, paleontologists are reporting the find of a complete skull, resulting in a new species and a great deal of excitement in the scientific community.

Ruben Martinez, a paleontologist at the National University of Patagonia San Juan Bosco, reports in PLOS ONE, the finding of several neck vertebrae and an ossified tendon, along with a wonderfully preserved skull from Sarmientosaurus musacchioi, a herbivorous dinosaur.

The discovery of the mostly intact skull is a rare find for titanosaurs, since their heads are not often found near the remains of the rest of the body.  This new discovery will allow paleontologists an opportunity to investigate the way these large animals reacted and sensed their surroundings and possibly their eating habits.

Matthew Lamanna, from the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pennsylvania and a co-author on the study, says while over 60 legitimate titanosaur species have been named so far, this is only the fourth time researchers have found an entire skull.  Paleontologist Matthew Wedel of Western University of Health Sciences in California, adds the finding is “probably the most complete and best preserved skull of any sauropod from South America to date.”

Wedel continues to say there was a gap between the earliest titanosaurs and the older sauropods from which they evolved, and, at least to him, the Sarmientosaurus bridges that gap.  Wedel says “we’ve been waiting for someone like you,” regarding the new find.

Lamanna reported the eye sockets from the new found skull indicate the dinosaur likely had better vision than many of its relatives, and the inner-ear of the species was suited for low-frequency sounds, meaning they probably communicated with each other with low rumbles.

The evidence shows the beast likely kept its nose to the ground, prompting many to believe it might have grazed on lower plants, but some suggest the narrow snout could mean it was better suited for feeding at different levels off the ground.

At any rate, the new discovery has paleontologists excited and looking to expand their understanding of these majestic creatures.