Researchers from Midwestern University, USA, have unveiled a new genus and species of titanosaurian dinosaur, named Igai semkhu. Belonging to the Titanosauria group, these long-necked, plant-eating dinosaurs lived approximately 75 million years ago during the Campanian age of the Late Cretaceous epoch. Titanosauria is characterized by its members’ large body sizes, long necks, and wide stances, ranging from colossal terrestrial vertebrates to smaller species akin to elephants. Igai semkhu is a significant find in the Afro-Arabian Late Cretaceous, providing valuable insights into this prehistoric period.
Facts/Terms for UPSC Prelims
- Titanosaurian Dinosaur: A type of long-necked, herbivorous dinosaur known for its large size and presence during the Late Cretaceous period.
- Campanian Age: A geological period within the Late Cretaceous epoch, lasting from about 83 to 72 million years ago, characterized by diverse dinosaur species.
- Late Cretaceous Epoch: The final period of the Mesozoic Era, recognized as the “Age of Dinosaurs,” spanning from approximately 100 to 66 million years ago.
- Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) Mass Extinction: A catastrophic event about 66 million years ago that led to the extinction of many species, including non-avian dinosaurs, possibly caused by an asteroid impact and volcanic activity.
- Mesozoic Era: The era that includes the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods, marked by the dominance of dinosaurs and the eventual rise of mammals.