Thailand Names New Long-Necked Dinosaur Uragasaurus kalasinensis

Thai paleontologists have officially named a new species of long-necked dinosaur, Uragasaurus kalasinensis, discovered in Kalasin province. The announcement, made on July 8, adds the 15th formally recognized dinosaur species to Thailand's fossil record, bolstering the country's standing as a significant site for Jurassic dinosaur discoveries. The fossil was unearthed at the Phu Noi fossil site in Din Chi subdistrict, Kham Muang district, Kalasin province, within the Lower Phu Kradung Formation, which the research places in the Upper Jurassic period. Researchers identified Uragasaurus as a member of Mamenchisauridae, a family of sauropod dinosaurs renowned for their exceptionally long necks. Sauropods were large, herbivorous, four-legged dinosaurs, and mamenchisaurids include some of the longest-necked animals ever to have walked the Earth. Uragasaurus is estimated to have measured approximately 18 to 20 meters in length and was herbivorous. The species was identified from an isolated anterior dorsal vertebra that exhibited anatomical features distinct from those of previously known mamenchisaurids, allowing for its classification as a new species. This discovery holds significant scientific value, as mamenchisaurid fossils have primarily been found in China. The identification of Uragasaurus kalasinensis in northeastern Thailand expands scientists' understanding of the geographical distribution of these giant long-necked dinosaurs during the Late Jurassic. The genus name, Uragasaurus, is a combination of the Sanskrit word 'uraga,' meaning 'snake' or 'serpent lizard,' and the Greek word 'sauros,' meaning 'lizard.' The species name, 'kalasinensis,' honors Kalasin province, the location of the fossil's discovery. Furthermore, Uragasaurus kalasinensis is only the second dinosaur species formally named from the Phu Kradung Formation, underscoring the scientific importance of the Phu Noi fossil site, where thousands of prehistoric fossil specimens have been recovered, with many more awaiting study. This latest naming solidifies Kalasin province's reputation as one of Thailand's most crucial paleontological locations.