Fossil remains found in Igea during the July excavations at the Las Cerradas site, in La Rioja, are shaping the image of a large herbivorous dinosaur that could belong to a species not yet described by science. According to the paleontological team, the quantity and quality of the recovered pieces allow for a more precise reconstruction of the appearance and biology of this animal that inhabited the area about 120 million years ago.
The campaigns in Las Cerradas are part of a continued research program in Igea, a locality that has consolidated itself in recent years as one of the key points of the dinosaur fossil record in the Iberian Peninsula. These fossil remains found in Igea add to other relevant findings in the region and reinforce the hypothesis that the ancient Riojan ecosystem hosted a great diversity of species during the Lower Cretaceous.
A giant herbivore and an unknown species
The researchers describe the new specimen as a large herbivorous dinosaur, possibly several meters long, that coexisted with other large vertebrates in an environment of rivers, lakes, and floodable plains. Although the detailed study is ongoing, the combination of recovered bones suggests that these fossil remains found in Igea could represent a new species for science, distinct from those already recognized in the region.
The analysis of the fossils includes the study of vertebrae, limb elements, and parts of the pelvis, which will allow estimating the posture, mode of locomotion, and approximate size of the animal. If confirmed that these fossil remains found in Igea belong to an unknown species, the discovery would have international impact and further consolidate La Rioja’s scientific prestige in dinosaur paleontology.
Igea, a reference in dinosaur discoveries
The Igea area had already gained worldwide relevance with the discovery of Riojavenatrix lacustris, a large carnivorous dinosaur of the spinosaurid family, recently described as a new species and unique genus. This bipedal predator, about 7 to 8 meters long and weighing around 1,500 kg, lived about 120 million years ago and mainly fed on fish, according to studies conducted in nearby sites.
That in the same environment new fossil remains found in Igea of a giant herbivore now emerge suggests that the ecosystem of the time was complex, with well-structured food chains and simultaneous presence of large carnivores and large plant consumers. This context turns Igea and Las Cerradas into a natural laboratory to understand the evolution and coexistence of different groups of dinosaurs.
Field work, technology, and scientific projection
The excavations of this month combine traditional field techniques with modern technological tools, such as 3D modeling of the bones and digital analysis that facilitate the reconstruction of the skeleton from the fossil remains found in Igea. These advances allow the data to be integrated into international scientific databases and for specialists from other countries to compare the materials with dinosaur collections from America, Europe, and Asia.
Aside from the scientific value, the project has a divulgative and tourist dimension for La Rioja, where replicas of some dinosaurs discovered in the area are already on display. The possible official announcement of a new species based on these fossil remains found in Igea would strengthen the offer of paleontological routes and local museums, and open up new opportunities for academic collaboration with institutions in Latin America, including specialized teams from the Dominican Republic interested in researching ancient ecosystems.
What’s next for the fossil remains found in Igea
The next step will be the detailed preparation of the fossils in the laboratory, their formal description in scientific journals, and the proposal of a name for the possible new species. Until the process is complete, the scientists maintain caution, but agree that these fossil remains found in Igea represent a key piece to better understand the history of dinosaurs in La Rioja and the role of the region in the world map of paleontology.
