Itapeuasaurus

Itapeuasaurus is the most complete diplodocoid dinosaur from the Cenomanian age found in South America.1

Its backbone had deep pits called fossae that made the bones lighter, like a bird's bones.2

The largest vertebra found was 40 centimeters (16 inches) long.1

Itapeuasaurus belongs to a group of sauropods called rebbachisaurids, which had tall neural spines on their vertebrae.2

The fossils were discovered by a fisherman named Carlos Wagner Silva in November 2014.1

Because the bones were found on a beach in the tidal zone, scientists could only dig for about four hours each day.1