Paleontologists have unearthed a new species of long-necked sauropod dinosaur in Brazil, revealing surprising connections between ancient South America and Europe. The discovery suggests that dinosaurs moved freely between continents much later in history than previously thought, challenging assumptions about isolated ecosystems.
A Lost Giant: Dasosaurus tocantinensis
The dinosaur, named Dasosaurus tocantinensis, roamed the Earth approximately 120 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous period. Measuring roughly 66 feet long, it belonged to the Somphospondyli group, a lineage of titan-like sauropods. What sets this species apart is a unique combination of physical traits. Its tail vertebrae feature three distinct ridges, while its thigh bone boasts an unusual lateral bulge—features never before seen together in any dinosaur.
Gondwana’s Dynamic Network
The discovery pushes back the timeline for how we understand the evolution of dinosaurs. The Itapecuru Formation in northeastern Brazil yielded a partial skeleton, which scientists analyzed to trace its lineage. Dasosaurus appears to be most closely related to Garumbatitan morellensis, a species found in Spain dating back 122 million years. This link suggests that dinosaurs migrated between continents via northern Africa long after the supercontinent Gondwana began to break apart.
“This isn’t just another new dinosaur,” explains Dr. Max Langer from the Universidade de São Paulo, lead author of the published study. “It’s evidence that Early Cretaceous South America was part of a wider, interconnected landmass where species could move between continents.”
Why This Matters
The finding refutes the idea that South America was evolutionary isolated during this period. Instead, it was part of a larger network. This raises questions about the speed and scale of dinosaur migration, as well as the environmental conditions that allowed it. Were land bridges more persistent than assumed? Did sea levels fluctuate in ways that facilitated travel? The study implies that the Atlantic Ocean opened more gradually than previously thought, leaving land routes open for longer.
The research was published in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology on February 12, 2026, and is already prompting reevaluation of dinosaur biogeography.
The discovery of Dasosaurus tocantinensis not only expands our knowledge of sauropod diversity but also reinforces the idea that ancient ecosystems were far more interconnected than once believed.
