Argentinosaurus

Credit: Sphenaphinae on DeviantArt.

*Argentinosaurus* is an extinct genus of sauropod that lived in Argentina during the Late Cretaceous.

## Description

*Argentinosaurus* was one of the largest sauropods with *Patagotitan* and others. *Argentinosaurus* lived with *Mapusaurus* and *Skorpiovenator*. *Argentinosaurus* was a massive 21.4 meters tall and weighed 60,000-90,000 kilograms. Since the fragmentary remains of *Argentinosaurus* are rare, it is hard to know the true proportions of the animal. *Argentinosaurus* lived in herds and ate low hanging plants. The eggs of *Argentinosaurus* were about the size of a football.

Like most large titanosaurs, *Argentinosaurus* had front limbs which were much longer than the back limbs. They had no claws, and were flat on the bottom, like pillars. The back feet were flatter, with three curved claws pointing outwards. Along the lower back, over the hips and stopping at the lower tail were a row of sharp osteoderms. The tail was comparable to the neck in terms of proportions, but may have been tipped by barbs. The neck position of *Argentinosaurus* is disputed among scientists, but is usually thought to have stretched upwards rather than outwards. The neck was not 100% vertically inclined, and sat comfortably at a steep incline.

With computer simulations, scientists are able to determine the possible gait and locomotion style of large titanosaurs (mainly *Argentinosaurus*). By creating a 3D model of a titanosaur skeletal based upon *Argentinosaurus* specimens, and a sort of rail, scientists were able to determine titanosaur locomotion. The functional speed limit scientists were 2 m/s (7.2 km/h, 5 mph). It was concluded that the model would need to built upon with soft tissue and added fossil evidence to improve current estimates. The rig learned how to walk, and moved it's front and back limbs in coordinating patterns (ex. left hind limb back, left forelimb back, right hindlimb up, right forelimb up).

## Notable Specimens

* MCF-PVPH 1: The holotype of *Argentinosaurus* consisting of several back vertebrae and parts of the pubis. The holotype is extremely fragmentary but is just enough fossil material for scientists to determine the approximate size of Argentinosaurus.

* MLP-DR-46-VIII-21-3: A partial thigh bone, lacking both ends of the bone.

**Credit: Slate Weasel on the Wikimedia Commons.**
## Paleoecology

*Argentinosaurus* lived in the Huincul Formation in Argentina during the Late Cretaceous. The formation was ruled by medium to large-bodied carnivorous dinosaurs, as well as many small sauropods and the massive *Argentinosaurus*. Spores in the sediment show that the region was covered in a variety of plants and twisting rivers. The rivers were home to gars, turtles, lungfish, widespread reptiles like sphenodontids, and crocodiles. Alongside Argentinosaurus were sauropods *Limaysaurus*, *Choconsaurus*, *Cathartesaura* and predators *Mapusaurus*, *Giganotosaurus*, *Meraxes*, *Gualicho*, *Aoniraptor*, *Skorpiovenator*, *Ilokelesia* and *Tralkasaurus*.

## References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentinosaurus

1. ↑ http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20160201-meet-the-most-massive-dinosaur-to-ever-stomp-the-earth