Place: South America.
Size: 170 feet (51.8 meters).
Weight: 70-71 tons.
Diet: Herbivore.
Let's talk about Argentinosaurus!
Description:
Argentinosaurus was discovered in the Huincul Formation (Bonaparte and Coria, 1993, p. 3). Corbella et al., (2004) give a radiometric age of 88 million years, plus or minus 3.9, for the formation, based on a fission-track analysis ("Abstract;" "Characteristics and radiometric age of the tuff bed," p. 229). This gives a full time frame of 91.9-84.1 Ma. The Huincul Formation is overlying (above) the Candeleros Formation (Tunik et al., 2010, p. 262 Figure 3) (Coria and Salgado, 1995, p. 226) (Coria and Currie, 2006, p. 74), which means that it is younger than the Candeleros Formation. I've given an age of 108-92 Ma for the Candeleros Formation, so I'm giving the Huincul Formation an age range of 92-84.1 Ma. This is early Turonian-late Santonian in age. The formation has also been given a date of 93-91 million years before (Garrido, 2010, p. 138), so this seems accurate.
Let's talk about Argentinosaurus!
Description:
Argentinosaurus was discovered in the Huincul Formation (Bonaparte and Coria, 1993, p. 3). Corbella et al., (2004) give a radiometric age of 88 million years, plus or minus 3.9, for the formation, based on a fission-track analysis ("Abstract;" "Characteristics and radiometric age of the tuff bed," p. 229). This gives a full time frame of 91.9-84.1 Ma. The Huincul Formation is overlying (above) the Candeleros Formation (Tunik et al., 2010, p. 262 Figure 3) (Coria and Salgado, 1995, p. 226) (Coria and Currie, 2006, p. 74), which means that it is younger than the Candeleros Formation. I've given an age of 108-92 Ma for the Candeleros Formation, so I'm giving the Huincul Formation an age range of 92-84.1 Ma. This is early Turonian-late Santonian in age. The formation has also been given a date of 93-91 million years before (Garrido, 2010, p. 138), so this seems accurate.
Some gigantic sauropod remains from the Candeleros Formation, catalogued as MUCPv-251, might be connected to Argentinosaurus as well (Calvo, 1999, p. 26). However, there hasn't been anything else written about them since. Another titanosaur, catalogued as MOZ Pv 1221, was discovered in the Candeleros Formation in 2021. Given it's size, it could be Argentinosaurus, but MOZ still needs to be excavated before a clearer examination can be done. Plus, the two specimens are phylogenetically separated for now (Otero et al., 2021, Discussion, para. 4):
MLP-DP 46-VIII-21-3, were both 170 feet long (51.8 meters). Mazzetta et al., (2004) gave Argentinosaurus a mass of 71 tons (p. 7). Paul (2019) gave is 70 (p. 339 Table 1).
On October 10, 2019, it was announced that sauropod dinosaurs would have had rhamphotheca, or a beak-like structure made of keratin. This beak would have protected the sauropod's teeth and kept them in place, since fossilized sauropod teeth are usually found in good condition and connected to their skulls (John Pickrell, 10/10/19) (Pickrell, 10/17/19). Interestingly, dinosaurs couldn't move their tongues (Mindy Weisberger, 2018) (ScienceDaily, 2018).
Friends:
Argentinosaurus coexisted with the rebbachisaurs Limaysaurus (57-63 feet; 17.4-19.1 meters) and Cathartesaura (55 feet; 16.7 meters), the titanosaurs Andesaurus (52 feet; 15.7 meters), MMCH-Pv 47 (71 feet; 21.7 meters), Patagotitan (78-79 feet; 23.9-24.1 meters), and Puertasaurus (74-81 feet; 22.4-24.8 meters). Other animals on the menu were the ornithopods Anabisetia, Talenkauen, and Macrogryphosaurus.
Predators:
Argentinosaurus' enemies consisted of Giganotosaurus (36-50 feet; 10.9-15.3 meters), the abelisaurs Ekrixinatosaurus (24 feet; 7.2 meters) and Skorpiovenator (15 feet; 4.5 meters), the dromeosaurs Buitreraptor (4 feet; 1.3 meters) and Unenlagia (8-9 feet; 2.3-2.8 meters), the neovenatorid Gualicho (24 feet; 7.2 meters), and perhaps Spinosaurus (27-55 feet; 8.1-16.8 meters). However, Spinosaurus would have preferred rivers and fish (Kristen Rogers, 2020, "Competing for food," p. 1).
Mapusaurus vs. Argentinosaurus (Planet Dinosaur):
Original Paper:
Bonaparte and Coria (1993):
http://paleoglot.org/files/Bonaparte&Coria_93.pdf
Spanish:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281378504_A_new_and_huge_titanosaur_sauropod_from_Rio_Limay_Formation_Albian-Cenomanian_of_Neuquen_Province_Argentina
Time:
Corbella et al., (2004) ("Abstract," "Characteristics and radiometric age of the tuff bed" pg. 229):
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/H_Leanza/publication/263009336_First_fission-track_age_for_the_dinosaur-bearing_Neuquen_Group_Upper_Cretaceous_Neuquen_Basin_Argentina/links/0f31753987fde7ee73000000/First-fission-track-age-for-the-dinosaur-bearing-Neuquen-Group-Upper-Cretaceous-Neuquen-Basin-Argentina.pdf
Link 2:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263009336_First_fission-track_age_for_the_dinosaur-bearing_Neuquen_Group_Upper_Cretaceous_Neuquen_Basin_Argentina
Tunik et al., (2010) (P. 262 Figure 3):
https://www.academia.edu/5642253/Early_uplift_and_orogenic_deformation_in_the_Neuqu%C3%A9n_Basin_Constraints_on_the_Andean_uplift_from_U_Pb_and_Hf_isotopic_data_of_detrital_zircons
Link 2:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0040195110001642
Link 3:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/248242916_Early_uplift_and_orogenic_deformation_in_the_Neuquen_Basin_Constraints_on_the_Andean_uplift_from_U-Pb_and_Hf_isotopic_data_of_detrital_zircons
Link 2:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0040195110001642
Link 3:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/248242916_Early_uplift_and_orogenic_deformation_in_the_Neuquen_Basin_Constraints_on_the_Andean_uplift_from_U-Pb_and_Hf_isotopic_data_of_detrital_zircons
Coria and Salgado (1995):
https://vdocuments.mx/a-new-giant-carnivorous-dinosaur-from-the-cretaceous-of-patagonia.html
https://vdocuments.mx/a-new-giant-carnivorous-dinosaur-from-the-cretaceous-of-patagonia.html
Garrido (2010) (P. 138):
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262658711_Estratigrafia_del_Grupo_Neuquen_Cretacico_Superior_de_la_Cuenca_Neuquina_Argentina_nueva_propuesta_de_ordenamiento_litoestratigrafico
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262658711_Estratigrafia_del_Grupo_Neuquen_Cretacico_Superior_de_la_Cuenca_Neuquina_Argentina_nueva_propuesta_de_ordenamiento_litoestratigrafico
International Chronostratigraphic Chart (2020):
https://stratigraphy.org/timescale/International Commission of Stratigraphy Website:
https://stratigraphy.org/news/130
Size:
https://psdinosaurs.blogspot.com/2018/12/size-calculations-for-herbivorous.html
Specimen MUCPv-251:
https://psdinosaurs.blogspot.com/2020/08/a-giant-sauropod-argentinosaurus-from_22.html
John Pickrell (10/10/19):https://psdinosaurs.blogspot.com/2020/08/a-giant-sauropod-argentinosaurus-from_22.html
Specimen MOZ Pv 1221:
https://psdinosaurs.blogspot.com/2021/01/giant-titanosaurs-40-tons-or-more.html
Size:
Beak:https://psdinosaurs.blogspot.com/2021/01/giant-titanosaurs-40-tons-or-more.html
Size:
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/10/giant-sauropod-dinosaurs-may-have-sported-turtlelike-beaks
John Pickrell (10/17/19):
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/10/sauropods-grew-big-munching-superfoods-sturdy-beaks
Tongue:
Mindy Weisberger (2018):
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/t-rex-couldnt-stick-out-its-tongue/
ScienceDaily (2018):
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180620150129.htm
Weight:
Mazzetta et al., (2004) (pg. 7):
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.694.1650&rep=rep1&type=pdf
Paul (2019) (Pg. 339 Table 1):
http://www.gspauldino.com/Titanomass.pdf
Friends:
Limaysaurus:
Size:
https://psdinosaurs.blogspot.com/2018/12/size-calculations-for-herbivorous.html
Time and Discovery:
Calvo and Salgado, (1995):
Calvo and Salgado, (1995):
2nd Version:
Time:
Gallina and Apesteguia (2005):
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262637167_Cathartesaura_anaerobica_gen_et_sp_nov_a_new_rebbachisaurid_Dinosauria_Sauropoda_from_the_Huincul_Formation_Upper_Cretaceous_Rio_Negro_Argentina
Size:
https://psdinosaurs.blogspot.com/2018/12/size-calculations-for-herbivorous.html
Andesaurus:
Time:
Casal et al., (2016) (Pg. 56 "Edad de la Formacion Bajo Barreal," p. 57):
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303598984_Ordenamiento_y_caracterizacion_faunistica_del_Cretacico_Superior_del_Grupo_Chubut_Cuenca_del_Golfo_San_Jorge_Argentina
Mannion and Calvo (2010):
https://academic.oup.com/zoolinnean/article/163/1/155/2625609
Calvo and Bonaparte (1991):
https://paleoglot.org/files/Calvo&Bonaparte%201991.pdf
Size:
https://psdinosaurs.blogspot.com/2018/12/size-calculations-for-herbivorous.html
Puertasaurus:
Length:
https://psdinosaurs.blogspot.com/2018/12/size-calculations-for-herbivorous.html
Time:
Pari Aike Formation is Mata Amarilla Formation:
Egerton (2011) (Pg. 52-53):
Link 2:
Varela et al., (2012) ("Abstract"):
Link 2:
Rozadilla et al., (2019) ("Abstract"):https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14772019.2019.1582562?journalCode=tjsp20
Anabisetia:
Coria and Calvo (2002) (Pg. 503):
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233127594_A_new_iguanodontian_ornithopod_from_Neuquen_Basin_Patagonia_ArgentinaVallati (2002) ("Abstract"):
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287718853_Palynology_of_the_Cerro_Lisandro_Formation_lower_Dinosaurian_Beds_middle_Cretaceous_of_the_Neuquen_Basin_west-central_Argentina
Talenkauen:
Pari Aike Formation is Mata Amarilla Formation:
Egerton (2011) (Pg. 52-53):
Link 2:
Varela et al., (2012) ("Abstract"):
Link 2:
Rozadilla et al., (2019) ("Abstract"):https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14772019.2019.1582562?journalCode=tjsp20
Macrogryphosaurus:
Time:
Coniacian:
Calvo et al., (2007):
https://www.academia.edu/7111445/DISCOVERY_OF_A_NEW_ORNITHOPOD_DINOSAUR_FROM_THE_PORTEZUELO_FORMATION_UPPER_CRETACEOUS_NEUQU%C3%89N_PATAGONIA_ARGENTINA_1_With_14_figures
Date of Publication:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233735488_Discovery_of_a_new_ornithopod_dinosaur_from_the_Portezuelo_Formation_Upper_Cretaceous_Neuquen_Patagonia_Argentina
Turonian-Coniacian:
Gallo et al., (2011):
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195667110001199
Enemies:
Mapusaurus/Giganotosaurus roseae:
https://psdinosaurs.blogspot.com/2017/09/giganotosaurus-facts.html
Skorpiovenator:
Time:
Canale et al., (2009):
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23572798_New_carnivorous_dinosaur_from_the_Late_Cretaceous_of_NW_Patagonia_and_the_evolution_of_abelisaurid_theropods
Size:
https://psdinosaurs.blogspot.com/2018/10/calculations-for-largest-theropods.html
Buitreraptor:
Size:
https://psdinosaurs.blogspot.com/2018/10/calculations-for-largest-theropods.html
Time:
Baez et al., (2000) (Pg. 491, "Geological Setting"):
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312503089_The_earliest_known_pipoid_frog_from_South_America_A_new_genus_from_the_Middle_Cretaceous_of_Argentina
David Cannatella (2015) ("Temporal Data: Ages of Fossils and Calibration Priors," p. 20):
https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/438910
Tunik et al., (2010) ("Abstract;" pg. 270):
https://www.academia.edu/5642253/Early_uplift_and_orogenic_deformation_in_the_Neuqu%C3%A9n_Basin_Constraints_on_the_Andean_uplift_from_U_Pb_and_Hf_isotopic_data_of_detrital_zircons
Link 2:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0040195110001642
Link 3:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/248242916_Early_uplift_and_orogenic_deformation_in_the_Neuquen_Basin_Constraints_on_the_Andean_uplift_from_U-Pb_and_Hf_isotopic_data_of_detrital_zircons
Di Giullo et al., (2012) (Pg. 600 "Results"):
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233851583_Detrital_zircon_provenance_from_the_Neuquen_Basin_south-central_Andes_Cretaceous_geodynamic_evolution_and_sedimentary_response_in_a_retroarc-foreland_basin
Unenlagia:
Size:
https://psdinosaurs.blogspot.com/2018/10/calculations-for-largest-theropods.html
Time (For Both Species):
Gallo et al., (2011):
Link 2 ("Abstract"):
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195667110001199
Gualicho:
Gianechini and Apesteguia (2011) (Pg. 171 and 176):
Link 2:
Size:
https://psdinosaurs.blogspot.com/2018/10/calculations-for-largest-theropods.html
Time:
Vallati (2001) ("Abstract"):
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/241723727_Middle_Cretaceous_microflora_from_the_Huincul_Formation_Dinosaurian_Beds_in_the_Neuquen_Basin_Patagonia_Argentina
List of Microflora:
https://paleobotany.ru/palynodata/publication/21442?dir=asc&order=NameSp&page=1
Vallati (2006) ("Abstract"):
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/240841718_Las_primeras_angiospermas_en_el_Cretacico_de_la_Cuenca_Neuquina_centro_oeste_de_Argentina_Aspectos_geologicos_relacionados
Musacchio and Vallati (2007) ("Introduction"):
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267692115_Late_Cretaceous_non_marine_microfossils_of_the_Plottier_Formation_Cretaceous_at_Zampal_Argentina
Link 2:
https://www.academia.edu/7770746/LATE_CRETACEOUS_NON_MARINE_MICROFOSSILS_OF_THE_PLOTTIER_FORMATION_CRETACEOUS_AT_ZAMPAL_ARGENTINA._E._Musacchio_and_P._Vallati_2007
Vallati (2013) ("Paleotropical representatives in Northern Patagonia" 1-1.2, "Conclusions"):
http://paleopolis.rediris.es/cg/CG2013_L05/
Corbella et al., (2004) ("Abstract," "Characteristics and radiometric age of the tuff bed" pg. 229):
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/H_Leanza/publication/263009336_First_fission-track_age_for_the_dinosaur-bearing_Neuquen_Group_Upper_Cretaceous_Neuquen_Basin_Argentina/links/0f31753987fde7ee73000000/First-fission-track-age-for-the-dinosaur-bearing-Neuquen-Group-Upper-Cretaceous-Neuquen-Basin-Argentina.pdf
Link 2:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263009336_First_fission-track_age_for_the_dinosaur-bearing_Neuquen_Group_Upper_Cretaceous_Neuquen_Basin_Argentina
Oxalaia/Spinosaurus quilombensis:
https://psdinosaurs.blogspot.com/2017/09/spinosaurus-facts.html
Time:
Kellner et al., (2010):
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/aabc/v83n1/v83n1a06.pdf
Size:
https://psdinosaurs.blogspot.com/2017/09/spinosaurus-facts.html
Link 2:
https://psdinosaurs.blogspot.com/2018/10/calculations-for-largest-theropods.html
Oxalaia is Spinosaurus:
Smyth et al., (2020):
Spent Time in Water:Kristen Rogers (2020) ("Competing for food," p. 1):
https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/29/world/spinosaurus-swimmer-discovery-scn/index.html
