New dinosaur species discovered in Argentina

The remains of a gigantic new dinosaur species have been unearthed in Argentina.

At more than 105ft long, the plant-eater is among the largest ever found, scientists said today.

Scientists from Argentina and Brazil said the dinosaur appeared to represent a previously unknown species because of the unique structure of its neck.

They named it Futalognkosaurus dukei after the Mapuche Indian words for "giant" and "chief," and the Duke Energy company, which helped fund the its excavation.

"This is one of the biggest in the world and one of the most complete of these giants that exist," said palaeontologist Jorge Calvo.

Since the first bones were found on the banks of Lake Barreales in the Argentine province of Neuquen in 2000, researchers have dug up the dinosaur's neck, back region, hips and the first vertebra of its tail.

Patagonia also was home to the other two largest dinosaur skeletons found to date - Argentinasaurus, at around 115ft long, and Puertasaurus reuili, between 115ft to 131ft long.

Comparison between the three herbivores, however, is difficult because scientists have only found few vertebrae of Puertasaurus and while the skeleton of Futalognkosaurus is fairly complete, scientists have not uncovered any bones from its limbs.

The site where Futalognkosaurus has produced more than 1,000 specimens, including 240 fossil plants, 300 teeth and the remains of several other dinosaurs.