Tangvayosaurus is a type of dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, around 120 to 100 million years ago. The name “Tangvayosaurus” means “Tang Vay lizard.” This dinosaur was discovered in Laos and is known from some fossil remains.
Tangvayosaurus was a long dinosaur, about 15 meters or roughly 49 feet long. It belonged to a group of dinosaurs called sauropods, which are known for their long necks and tails.
Scientists have found several bones to study Tangvayosaurus. These include part of its pelvis, some vertebrae from its back and tail, and a bone from its upper arm. The main species of Tangvayosaurus is called Tangvayosaurus hoffeti. This species was named in 1999 by a group of scientists led by Ronan Allain. They named it in honor of another paleontologist, Joshua Hoffet.
Many bones from this dinosaur were found, but only a few individuals are known. Some earlier fossils described as “Titanosaurus falloti” were also thought to be related to Tangvayosaurus, but recent studies suggest they should stay as a separate group.
Tangvayosaurus is part of a larger group called Somphospondyli. While there is still debate about exactly where it fits within this group, some researchers place it close to another dinosaur called Phuwiangosaurus.
Overall, Tangvayosaurus helps us learn about the diversity of giant dinosaurs that roamed the Earth millions of years ago. Its fossils give us clues about how different dinosaurs lived and how they are related to one another.