Atsinganosaurus is a type of dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 72 to 70 million years ago. Its remains were found in what is now France.
The name “Atsinganosaurus” comes from the Greek word that means “gypsy.” This may suggest that this dinosaur moved around a lot, from east to west. The specific name, “A. velauciensis,” refers to the place where it was discovered, Velaux – La Bastide Neuve.
The only known fossils of Atsinganosaurus were found during excavations between 2009 and 2010. Scientists, including Géraldine Garcia and her team, described this dinosaur for the first time in 2010. The fossils mainly include parts of its spine. Other bones, like those from the skull and limbs, have also been found later.
Atsinganosaurus belongs to a group of dinosaurs called sauropods, which are known for their long necks and large bodies. It is considered a titanosaurs, which were some of the largest dinosaurs to have lived. Estimates suggest that Atsinganosaurus could have grown around 8 to 14 meters long and weighed between 2.46 to 5.26 tons.
In studies of dinosaur family trees, Atsinganosaurus is placed alongside other similar dinosaurs. This helps scientists understand how different dinosaur species are related.
Overall, Atsinganosaurus is a fascinating example of the diverse and enormous dinosaurs that roamed the Earth millions of years ago.