Dragon Dinosaur Discovered - Researchers from the University of Alberta have confirmed the discovery of a new species from a family of long-neck dinosaurs that lived in Asia nearly 200 million years ago.
The Qijianglong, which is part of a group of long-neck dinosaurs known as mamenchisauridae, is one of the most unique finds ever made in the region. Unlike other sauropods (dinosaurs with long necks), whose necks may be just one-third of their bodies, the neck of the Qijianglong is said to make up about half the length of its body.
Despite its size and unlike other mamenchisauridae, the veterbrae of the Qijianglong is believed to have weighed relatively less because it was filled with air. Also, researchers say the interlocking joints between its vertebrae indicate that the Qijianglong would have been unable to move its neck side-to-side freely, but instead vertically.
The well preserved remains of the Qijianglong were reportedly found in Qijiang City by a group of workers, who were digging a fish pond in 2006. The animal, which bears a striking resemblance to dragons in Chinese mythology, was named after the city Qijiang - Qijianglong means "dragon of Qijiang."
"We found the dinosaur's huge vertebrae with the skull and the tail, but couldn't find any bones from the hands or the legs. So the locals began to say the long body looked like a dragon from ancient Chinese stories," said Lida Xing, a former student of the University of Alberta, who participated in the study.
Tetsuto Miyashita, a PHD student at the university, who also participated in the study, noted that the head of the dragon was still attached to its body when it was dug up. "It is rare to find the head and neck of a long-necked dinosaur together because the head is so small and easily detached after the animal dies," he explains.
The discovery of the Qijianglong shows that there is much more diversification in mamenchisaurids than scientists had previously thought. It is unclear why the long-necked dinosaurs are only found in Asia. Researchers have noted that it is highly likely the long-necked dinosaurs were trapped in the continent by the sea.
The complete findings of the University of Alberta researchers have been published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. Reports indicate that the skeleton of the Qijianglong is being housed in a museum in Qijiang. It is expected to be moved to a dinosaur museum currently under construction in the city.
