Sidersaura is an extinct type of dinosaur that belonged to the rebbachisaurid family. It lived during the Late Cretaceous period in what is now Argentina.
The name Sidersaura means “star lizard,” and it includes one known species called S. marae. This dinosaur is significant because it is one of the largest of its kind, with an estimated length of around 18 to 20 meters, or about 59 to 66 feet, and it weighed around 15 tons.
Discovery of Sidersaura began in 2012, in a place called the Huincul Formation. Over five years, paleontologists dug up bones from four different individuals of this species. The main bones that have been studied include parts of the skull, vertebrae, and bones from the legs and feet.
The specific term “marae” was chosen to honor a fossil preparator named Mara Ripoll.
Sidersaura stood out among dinosaurs due to several unique features. For example, it had a special opening in its skull that was not seen in other related species. This dinosaur also had a crescent-shaped bone in its foot and star-shaped haemal arches, which are supporting structures found near the tail.
In terms of family classification, Sidersaura is part of the sauropods, a group of large, long-necked dinosaurs. Researchers have found that it is closely related to another dinosaur named Itapeuasaurus and is part of a group that was not closely related to other rebbachisaurids discovered in the same area.
The Huincul Formation was home to many different dinosaurs and creatures. Alongside Sidersaura, there were giant sauropods like Argentinosaurus and fierce carnivores like Mapusaurus.
In summary, Sidersaura was a remarkable dinosaur that lived in a rich environment filled with a variety of prehistoric life, helping to paint a picture of the biodiversity during the Late Cretaceous in Argentina.