The fossilized bone of a dinosaur discovered in Argentina that would have trampled the Earth 98 million years ago may have been the largest land animal ever.

Local paleontologists found the remains – which include 24 vertebrae of the creature’s tail and some adjacent pelvic bones – in Neuquen County in 2012.

Thought to be a titanosaur, one of the largest sauropods – a class of dinosaur that is distinguished by its large size, column-like legs, neck, and elongated tail.

While the team has not been able to confirm this as a new species yet, the fossils do not appear to match the remains of other known sauropod dinosaurs.

The discovery may help experts to better understand how giant Serbian dinosaurs evolved and lived millions of years ago.

Despite the new discovery, the blue whale still maintains the title of „largest animal ever” – which was known to be 110 feet (33.6 meters) long.

„ It is clear that a titanosaur that has been partially recovered from the formation of Candelarus can be considered one of the largest of the titans, ” the researchers wrote. Possibly of a body mass similar to Patagotitan [pictured, in a full sized model] Or Argentinosaurus or greater

The fossil remains are found in strata of rocks that geologists refer to as the „Candeleros Formation” – more specifically at a level that represents sediments from the muddy flood plain.

„ It is clear that a titanosaur that has been partially recovered from the formation of Candelarus can be considered one of the largest of the titans, ” the researchers wrote.

„It is possible that the body mass of the Patagotitanian or Argentine or greater,” they added.

Patagotitan – which was first discovered in Argentina in 2013 – is thought to have reached lengths in excess of 121 feet (37 meters) and likely weighed 55-57 tons.

Unlike other remains extracted from the formation, this specimen – identified as „MOZ-Pv 1221” – remained largely articulated, indicating that more of the skeleton was likely to be uncovered in the same place where the drill progressed.

In fact, the team reports that dinosaur limb bones have been found, but not yet excavated.

Due to the partial nature of the discovery thus far, the researchers said it was not yet possible to estimate how much MOZ-Pv 1221 would likely weigh in life.

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Unlike other remains extracted from the formation, this specimen – identified as „MOZ-Pv 1221” – remained largely articulated, indicating that more of the skeleton was likely to be uncovered in the same place where the drill progressed. Pictured, an artist’s impression of MOZ-Pv 1221 and – below it – two other sauropods from the same location, Limaysaurus (left) and Andesaurus (right)

Due to the partial nature of the discovery thus far, the researchers said it was not yet possible to estimate how much MOZ-Pv 1221 would likely weigh in life. Pictured, an artist’s impression of the silhouette of the specimen, showing the still-exposed bones

According to the researchers, Neuquén County was home to several Sauropod species 98 million years ago – each having a different role, or „place,” in the ecosystem and food web.

The specimen reported here strongly indicates the presence of larger and medium-sized titanosaurs with smaller ribachiosaurs at the beginning of the Late Cretaceous. […] Referring to a supposed niche split, „they said.

The full results of the study have been published in the journal Cretaceous search.

SAUROPODS: Long-necked and small dinosaurs

Sauropods were the first successful group of herbivorous dinosaurs, as they dominated most terrestrial ecosystems for more than 140 million years, from the late Triassic to the late Cretaceous.

They had long necks, tails, skulls, and relatively small brains.

It stretched to 130 feet (40 m) and weighed up to 80 tons (80,000 kg) – 14 times the weight of an African elephant.

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Sauropods were the first successful group of herbivorous dinosaurs, as they dominated most terrestrial ecosystems for more than 140 million years, from the late Triassic to the late Cretaceous.

They were widespread – their remains were found on all continents except Antarctica.

They had gills high on their skulls – rather than being at the end of the snout like many other terrestrial vertebrates.

Some fossils show that these nostrils were so far from the skull that they were so close to their eye openings.

Images of Sauropods such as the diplodocus began to diversify in the Middle Jurassic period about 180 million years ago.

Source: University of California Paleontology Museum