If some animals have caused fascination for human beings, they are the dinosaurs. So much so that, despite having become extinct millions of years ago, they continue to be studied today, are part of museum exhibits, inspire movies, clothing, toys and various objects that appeal to both children and adults.
The fossil record reveals that these ancestors of today's birds not only had great diversity, but were also distributed globally. The different regions of the planet present a greater or lesser presence of remains of these sauropsids. On this occasion, on our site we talk specifically about the dinosaurs found in Spain, a country that has a rich variety of fossils.
Aragosaurus
The genus Aragosaurus means "lizard of Aragon" and includes a single species, Aragosaurus ischiaticu, which lived in the early Cretaceous, 132-121 million years ago. The remains of this herbivorous sauropod made it possible to determine that it had a enormous size, reaching about 18 meters in height and weighing 25 tons. Its body was bulky, with a fairly long neck, and it had a powerful tail. It moved on all four legs. His teeth were wide and large, which made it easy for him to consumption of plants
Baryonyx
The name of this genus means "heavy claw" and corresponds to a group of dinosaurs whose first species, Baryonyx walkeri, was found in England. However, later, other fossil finds found in Spain were incorporated into this genus.
These animals were carnivores Their serrated and sharp teeth made it easy for them to devour other individuals. They moved on two legs and were large, measuring about 10 meters long, weighing 2 tons. The mouth of these theropods was similar to that of a crocodile and one of its fingers had a claw of approximately 31 cm.
Hypsilophodon
Hypsilophodon means "high-crested tooth" and is a genus that was initially found in England. Subsequently, remains were found in Spain and Portugal, which have been considered to be of different species.
They lived 125 million years ago, weighed between 20-50 kilos and were about 2 meters long, so they were animals smallcompared to other dinosaurs. Its diet was based on the consumption of plants Its pointed head and provided with a horny beak, like that of a parrot, facilitated this form of feeding. They were bipedal
Pelecanimimus
«Pelican imitator» is the meaning of the name of this genus of dinosaurs found in Spain. They existed 127-121 million years ago, in the early Cretaceous. They are characterized by measuring about 2 meters and weighing around 25 kg. Their most distinctive feature was that they had some 200 quite sharp teeth, which indicates that they followed a carnivorous diet. In addition, they had an external bag in the throat area.
Rabdodon
The genus Rabdodon, which means “rod or striated tooth”, corresponds to two species of dinosaurs found in several European countries, including Spain. They existed 76-70 million years ago, that is, in the late Cretaceous. They were animals herbivores with a size of about 4 meters long.
Struthiosaurus
The “ostrich lizard” corresponds to a genus of dinosaurs made up of various species that inhabited various countries in what we now know as Europe, including Spain. They lived in the late Cretaceous, 83-75 million years ago. They were not large, measuring about 2.5 meters long, and their diet was herbivorous. Its distinctive feature was the presence of a kind of armor that covered the upper part of the body.
Thelmatosaurus
The name of this genus means "swamp lizard" and has been found in countries such as Spain, France and Romania, where these dinosaurs lived 84-65 million years ago. They were herbivorous dinosaurs of small-medium size, measuring about 5 meters long.
Arenysaurus
Until now the only species of this genus of dinosaurs is Arenysaurus ardevoli, commonly known as the “Aren lizard”. Fossil remains of it have been found in the Pyrenees of Spain, specifically in the population that bears the same common name as this animal. It existed about 68 million years ago and was a bipedal herbivore about 6 meters tall.
Concavenator
This genus only includes the species Concavenator corcovatus, which has been found in Spain. The common name of this dinosaur is "Humped Basin Hunter". Cuenca was the closest place to where it was found. It was about 6 meters long, bipedal and had two very characteristic ridges that corresponded to two protruding vertebrae. There are differences about its origin and function.
Megaloolithus
Dinosaur fossil finds not only include parts of their bodies, but also their very well-preserved eggs have been found. According to the studies and the identifications to which they are subjected, they are called oospecies or oogens. In this sense, Megaloolithus corresponds to dinosaur eggs found in Spain, specifically identified for the species Megaloolithus aureliensis, Megaloolithus siruguei and Megaloolithus baghensis, associated with herbivorous dinosaurs, with long tail and neck.
Other dinosaurs found in Spain
In addition to those we have just listed, there are other dinosaurs in Spain. We mention them below:
- Prismatoolithus trempii.
- Spheroolithus europaeus.
- Cairanoolithus roussetensis.
- Portellsaurus sosbaynati.
- Vallibonavenatrix cani.
- Lohuecotitan pandafilandi.
- Europelta carbonensis.
- Morelladon beltrani.
- Tamarro insperatus.
The study of dinosaurs is an activity that remains active in the scientific world, since changes in the identifications made are common thanks to the discoveries that continue to be produced. Spain is a country with a rich fossil diversity of dinosaurs, which has given rise not only to important research in the area, but also to the creation of various museums and exhibitionsin different regions to publicize the discoveries. Some examples are:
- Dinopolis Territory, Teruel.
- Paleontological Museum of Castilla–La Mancha, Cuenca.
- Jurassic Museum of Asturias, Colunga.
- Dinosaur Museum of Salas de los Infantes, Burgos.
- Temps de Dinosaures, Morella.
- Museo de la Conca Dellà i Parc Cretaci, Lleida.
- Aren Dinosaur Museum, Huesca.
- El Barranco Perdido and the Paleontological Interpretation Center of La Rioja.
- Highland Ichnite Route, Soria.
- Dinosaurs in the Kingdom of Silence, Alpuente.
- Museum of the Miquel Crusafont Catalan Institute of Paleontology, Sabadell.
- Paleontological Museum of Elche.
