Diplodocus Fossils Found in Europe for First Time

Spanish paleontologists say they have discovered the first evidence that Diplodocus, the iconic long-necked dinosaur, once roamed Europe. The findings were published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

Researchers from the Dinópolis Foundation in Teruel, eastern Spain, recovered 14 tail vertebrae and several chevron bones belonging to a single specimen from sediment dating back about 150 million years.

Anatomical and evolutionary analyses identified the fossils from the El Castellar site as belonging to the genus Diplodocus. Lead author Sergio Sánchez Fenollosa said the find is one of the most complete diplodocids discovered in Europe to date and the first evidence of the genus outside North America.

Study co-author Alberto Cobos said the dinosaur likely measured about 25 m long. The discovery adds Diplodocus to a growing list of giant Jurassic sauropods found in the Teruel region.

First identified from fossils discovered in Wyoming in the United States in 1877, Diplodocus was a herbivore known for its long neck, whip-like tail and four sturdy legs. It is among the world’s most recognizable dinosaurs.

(Reuters, bak)