Plant-Eating Dinosaur From 80 Million Years Ago Discovered in Chile

Scientists found remains of a previously unknown dinosaur species in the Atacama Desert in Chile.

They retrieved the remains of the Arackar licanantay, which in the Kunza language means "Atacama bones" which were initially discovered in the 1990s by Chilean geologist Carlos Arevalo. Findings of the study, "Arackar licanantay...new lithostrotian (Dinosauria, Sauropoda) from the Upper Cretaceous of the Atacama Region, northern Chile " were formally announced in the Cretaceous Research journal only on Monday.

Arevalo unearthed the fossil with Chilean experts from the National Geology and Mining Service, digging 75 kilometers south of the city of Copiapo in the Atacama region.

Arackar Fossils Under Close Scrutiny

Since its unearthing, according to La Prensa Latina report, the remains had been under close analysis by paleontologists from the University of Chile, the National Museum of Natural History, and the National University in Argentina, who have made more diggings since.

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Analysis of the Arackar fossils showed unique features of the species, including aspects of the dorsal vertebrae, which helped the paleontologists distinguish the specimen from other creatures in the same group and recognize it as a different species.

Long-tailed, Long-necked Herbivore

Paleontologists believe that the Arackar was a long-tailed, long-necked, herbivore that lived in the Cretaceous Period or 66 to 80 million years ago amid flowering plants, ferns, and palm trees, a Phys.Org report stated.

This dinosaur is part of the titanosaur family tree, although it is distinct due to its dorsal vertebrae features.

(Photo: University of Chile)
Arackar licanatay

Experts said that the remains of what they saw as a 20-foot small sub-adult dinosaur had the parts of a femur, humerus, and ischium, and vertebral components of the back and neck. It appears smaller in size compared with other titanosaurs, The Argentinosaurus, which was found in the east of the Andes, was more than four times the Arackar's size, scientists said.

Arackar's Distinguishable Characteristics

A unique characteristic is its more upright femur than those of the other titanosaurs. The Arackar also don't have legs that are at an open angle, which is common among titanosaurs, the scientists said.

This is the third non-avian dinosaur discovered in Chile, coming after the Atacamatitan chilensis and the Chilesaurus diegosuarezi.

These remains will be shown to the public in the Museum of Natural History in Chile after it opens when the pandemic restrictions are lifted.

The titanosaur discovery on the west of the Andes Mountains in South America is rare, yet there were fossils found in Brazil and Argentina.

Other Recent Dinosaur Discoveries in the Region

In March, scientists in the city of Paragonia in Argentina discovered remains of a new dinosaur, Llukalkan allocramois, which existed in South America 85 million years ago.

According to paleontologists, the finding is a significant milestone for the paleontological heritage of Chile. As the titanosaurs are broad and diverse, as they are mostly found in Argentina and Brazil, yet it is rare to see them on the west of the Andes Mountains, they said.