New genus and species Igai Semkhu of titanosaurian dinosaur discovered in Egypt

Tags: Science and Technology

Paleontologists led by Eric Gorscak of Midwestern University recently discovered Igai Semkhu, a new genus and titanosaurian dinosaur species in Egypt.

An Overview of the News

• This dinosaur species, Igai Semkhu, lived during the Campanian era of the Late Cretaceous era, about 75 million years ago.

• Igai Semkhu belongs to the titanosaurian group, a diverse category of herbivorous dinosaurs that are known for their large body size, extended neck, and wide stance.

• The titanosaurian group includes a wide range of species, from the largest terrestrial vertebrates ever known, to 'dwarf' species no larger than elephants.

• Igai Semkhu is one of the most informative dinosaurs yet recovered from the latest Cretaceous of Afro-Arabia.

Cretaceous-era:

• This is the third and last period of the Mesozoic era.

• This is often called the "Age of the Dinosaurs".

• Extending from about 145 million years ago to about 66 million years ago.

• It is one of the most extended geological eras in Earth's history.

• Mass Destruction:

  • The Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) mass extinction event marks the end of the Cretaceous era.

  • This end occurred approximately 66 million years ago.

  • This resulted in the extinction of approximately 75% of Earth's species, including non-avian dinosaurs.