Paleontologists have identified a new species of giant sauropod dinosaur, Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis, from fossils found in northeastern Thailand [2].
The discovery provides critical insight into the Cretaceous ecosystems of Southeast Asia and marks the identification of one of the region's last giant titans.
Led by Dr. Varavudh Suteethorn and an international research team, the scientists described the species after analyzing remains found near the village of Ban Pha Nang Sua in Chaiyaphum Province [1, 2]. While the bones were discovered near a pond about a decade ago, the team only recently completed the process of piecing together the new species [3].
The dinosaur is estimated to have lived approximately 100 million years ago [2]. It reached a length of nearly 90 feet [1] — though some reports specify 89 feet [2] — and weighed around 30 tonnes [1]. To provide a sense of scale, researchers said this mass is roughly equivalent to nine elephants [1].
"Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis is the largest sauropod ever found in Southeast Asia," Suteethorn said.
The fossils represent a significant find for the region's prehistoric record. A lead researcher said this animal was likely the last giant sauropod that roamed this part of the world [2]. The identification of the species was formally announced in June 2024 [1, 2].
“"Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis is the largest sauropod ever found in Southeast Asia."”
The identification of Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis fills a gap in the paleontological record of Southeast Asia. By establishing the presence of such a massive herbivore 100 million years ago, researchers can better reconstruct the food webs and environmental conditions of the Cretaceous period in Thailand, specifically regarding how these giants competed for resources before their eventual disappearance from the region.
