Recently, Chinese paleontologists discovered a new species of sauropod dinosaur in Yunyang County, Chongqing, naming it Mamenchisaurus sanjiangensis. The name references both the ‘Three Rivers’ region—where the Yangtze, Jialing, and Wu rivers converge—and the well-known genus Mamenchisaurus. This new species belongs to the Mamenchisauridae family, famed for their extremely long necks, and was a giant herbivore that roamed what is now southwestern China during the Late Jurassic period.Through detailed analysis of fossilized cervical and dorsal vertebrae as well as limb bones, researchers identified unique anatomical features—such as specific proportions of the cervical vertebrae and neural spine morphology—that clearly distinguish it from other known Mamenchisaurus species. This discovery not only expands the diversity within the Mamenchisaurus genus but also provides crucial insights into the evolution and geographic distribution of sauropods in East Asia.The fossils were unearthed in the Yunyang Dinosaur Fossil Site, which has emerged in recent years as a significant repository of Mesozoic vertebrate fossils in China. Experts note that identifying this new species helps reconstruct the Late Jurassic paleoenvironment of the Sichuan-Chongqing region and sheds light on how dinosaurs adapted to tectonic shifts and climate changes. Ongoing systematic excavations at the site aim to uncover more secrets about ancient life.
近日，中国古生物学家在重庆市云阳县发现了一种新的蜥脚类恐龙，并将其命名为“三江马门溪龙”（Mamenchisaurus sanjiangensis）。这一命名源于化石发现地——长江、嘉陵江与乌江交汇的“三江”地区，以及著名的马门溪龙属。该新种属于马门溪龙科，以其极长的颈部而闻名，是侏罗纪晚期生活在今中国西南地区的植食性巨龙。研究团队通过对部分颈椎、背椎及肢骨化石的详细分析，确认其具有独特的解剖学特征，如颈椎椎体比例、神经棘形态等，明显区别于已知的其他马门溪龙种类。这一发现不仅丰富了马门溪龙属的多样性，也为理解蜥脚类恐龙在东亚地区的演化与分布提供了关键证据。三江马门溪龙的发现地点位于重庆云阳恐龙化石群，该区域近年来已成为中国重要的中生代脊椎动物化石宝库。专家指出，此次新种的确认有助于重建侏罗纪晚期川渝地区的古生态环境，并进一步揭示恐龙在板块运动和气候变化背景下的适应策略。未来，科研人员将继续对该化石点进行系统发掘与研究，以期揭示更多关于远古生命的秘密。
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