Giant New Dinosaur Species Identified from Fossils in Thailand

Scientists have identified a new species of giant long-necked dinosaur, named Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis, from fossils discovered in north-eastern Thailand. Weighing approximately 27 tonnes, equivalent to nine adult Asian elephants, and measuring 27 meters in length, it is the largest dinosaur ever found in South-East Asia. The discovery was led by Thitiwoot Sethapanichsakul, a doctoral student at University College London (UCL), and published in the journal Scientific Reports. The dinosaur lived between 100 and 120 million years ago, predating the Tyrannosaurus Rex by about 40 million years. Researchers describe it as the last titan of Thailand, as its remains were found in the country's youngest dinosaur-bearing rock formation before the region turned into a shallow sea. The study highlights how ancient climatic conditions, characterized by high global temperatures and rising carbon dioxide levels, influenced the evolution of these massive herbivores. This finding marks the 14th dinosaur species named in Thailand, reinforcing the country's status as a significant site for paleontological diversity in Asia.