Thailand's north-eastern Kalasin Province has yielded a remarkable new discovery: a massive long-necked dinosaur with a neck as long as a cricket pitch. Palaeontologists have named the species Uragasaurus kalasinensis, and estimate it reached lengths of up to 20 metres - roughly equivalent to that iconic sporting venue.
The breakthrough stems from a large collection of fossils excavated from the Phu Noi site, which was first identified in 2008 by a local resident. According to Dr Apirat Nilphanaphan, lead author and a researcher at Thailand's Mahasarakham University, the crucial evidence for this new species lies in a distinctive dorsal vertebra - a bone from the middle or upper back - discovered among the remains.
A CT scan of the vertebra revealed unique characteristics confirming its classification within the Mamenchisauridae family of sauropod dinosaurs. This family is renowned for their exceptionally long necks, which are thought to have enabled them to access food at varying heights. The discovery marks the first time such a specimen has been found in Thailand, expanding our understanding of the geographical range of this dinosaur group.
The scan highlighted other notable features within Uragasaurus kalasinensis, including a Y-shaped arrangement of supporting bones and an air-cavity structure not seen in any other known dinosaurs. Dr Nilphanaphan described his reaction to the discovery as both 'exhilarated and relieved', underlining the significance of this find.
This discovery follows another significant dinosaur find in Thailand earlier this year, with scientists identifying the nagatitan - a long-necked herbivore - from remains unearthed in the region. Weighing an estimated 27 tonnes, the nagatitan currently holds the record as the largest dinosaur ever found in South-East Asia.