**Sektensaurus: A Unique Dinosaur from Patagonia**
Sektensaurus is a type of dinosaur that lived a long time ago during the Late Cretaceous period, around 76 to 72 million years ago. This dinosaur was discovered in Patagonia, which is in Argentina. The name “Sektensaurus” means “island lizard,” coming from the Tehuelche word for “island.”
**Classification**
Sektensaurus belongs to the group of dinosaurs called Ornithopoda. These dinosaurs were often herbivores and walked on two legs, using their strong legs to run quickly from predators. Sektensaurus is thought to be part of a specific subgroup of Ornithopods known as Elasmaria.
**Discovery History**
Fossils of Sektensaurus were first found in the region around Lago Colhué Huapi in the 1910s. These fossils were discovered on islands that formed when lake levels were low. In 1993, a paleontologist named Marcello Luna found a partial skeleton of a small Ornithopod in this area. Over the years, more fossils were found and studied, leading to a better understanding of this dinosaur.
In 2010, the fossils found in 1993 were described by Luna and a team of researchers. Although they didn’t name the dinosaur at that time, they realized it was unique and related to other dinosaurs in Gondwana, which was a large landmass that included parts of South America, Africa, and Antarctica.
In 2017, more fossils were collected from the same area, providing even more information about Sektensaurus. Finally, in 2019, researchers formally named the dinosaur Sektensaurus sanjuanboscoi, with the species name honoring the university where many researchers worked.
**Anatomy and Importance**
Sektensaurus is an important discovery because it is the oldest known Ornithopod from central Patagonia. Its fossils include various bones like vertebrae, limb bones, and parts of its pelvis. These findings help scientists learn more about the types of dinosaurs that lived in Patagonia near Antarctica during the Late Cretaceous period.
So, Sektensaurus is not just a dinosaur; it plays a significant role in understanding the diversity of life on Earth millions of years ago!