Zby is an extinct type of dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period. This dinosaur is specifically known from the late Kimmeridgian stage, which took place a long time ago in what is now known as central west Portugal.
The name “Zby” comes from Georges Zbyszewski, who studied the land and ancient life of Portugal. The only known species in this genus is called Zby atlanticus.
Discovery and Naming
Zby was discovered in 1996 in the Lourinhã Formation, a rich fossil site in Portugal, by a paleontologist named Octávio Mateus. Scientists first described Zby in 2014. Before this, it was thought to be another dinosaur called Turiasaurus riodevensis.
What We Know About Zby
Zby is recognized as a sauropod, which means it was a large, long-necked dinosaur. Some special features set Zby apart from other dinosaurs. For instance, it has a noticeable ridge on its arm bone, which is where muscles attach.
Scientists believe Zby is closely related to the Turiasaurus from Spain, based on similarities in their teeth and bones. Zby likely measured around 16 to 18 meters in length, which is about 52 to 59 feet.
Diet
Zby was a herbivore, which means it ate plants. While we don’t know exactly what it fed on, it likely enjoyed various kinds of vegetation that other plant-eating dinosaurs also consumed. This could have included cycads, ferns, and low bushes.
In summary, Zby was an impressive dinosaur that roamed the Earth millions of years ago, leaving its mark in the fossil record of Portugal.