Scientists from IIT Roorkee have identified and characterized dinosaur fossils from the Middle Jurassic period, discovered in the Thar Desert near the Jaisalmer Basin by the Geological Survey of India. These fossils belong to the Dicraeosauridae family and the Diplodocoidea superfamily, representing the first dicraeosaurid sauropods found in India. Named Tharosaurus indicus, these fossils are 167 million years old, making them the world’s oldest known diplodocoid fossils. Dicraeosaurid sauropods had unique characteristics, with smaller sizes and shorter necks and tails compared to other long-necked sauropods. This discovery contributes to our understanding of India’s prehistoric biodiversity and its place in the history of dinosaur evolution.
Facts/Terms for UPSC Prelims
- Dicraeosauridae: Dicraeosauridae is a family of sauropod dinosaurs characterized by their distinctive physical features, including shorter necks and tails compared to other sauropods. Tharosaurus indicus belongs to this family.
- Diplodocoidea: Diplodocoidea is a superfamily of sauropod dinosaurs, which includes long-necked and herbivorous dinosaurs like the dicraeosaurid Tharosaurus indicus.
- Thar Desert: The Thar Desert is a vast arid region in northwestern India, known for its unique ecosystems and extreme environmental conditions.
- Jurassic Period: The Jurassic period was a geological epoch that occurred approximately 201 to 145 million years ago. It was a time when dinosaurs flourished and diversified.
- Cretaceous Period: The Cretaceous period followed the Jurassic and lasted from approximately 145 to 65 million years ago. It ended with the mass extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs.
- Sauropods: Sauropods were a group of herbivorous dinosaurs known for their long necks and tails. They were among the largest land animals to ever exist.
- Geological Survey of India: The Geological Survey of India is a government agency responsible for geological exploration and research in India. It plays a significant role in discovering and documenting the country’s geological history and resources.
