Dinosaurs of Spain

Iberian Giants and Spanish Dinosaur Research

Historically, European dinosaur research was led by the UK, Belgium, and Germany, but the progress of Spanish paleontology in the last 30 years has been remarkable, entering what can be called the "Spanish Dinosaur Renaissance."

Specifically, during the Cretaceous period (about 145 to 66 million years ago), the Iberian Plate was not connected to the European continent as it is today, but was a large island, or a series of islands (Iberian Archipelago), floating in the Tethys Ocean. Due to this island environment, many unique species evolved in isolation with limited resources.
Additionally, Iberia served as a "bridge" connecting the northern continent of Laurasia and the southern continent of Gondwana (Africa), resulting in a unique dinosaur fauna mixed with African and Northern Hemisphere lineages not seen elsewhere.

Age of Giants: Jurassic to Cretaceous Sauropods

Spain boasts rare continuity and diversity in the fossil record of sauropods, the gigantic long-necked herbivorous dinosaurs.

Giant of Europe: Turiasaurus

Described in 2006 from Riodeva, Teruel, Turiasaurus riodevensis is one of the largest dinosaurs ever found on the European continent.
Its total length is estimated to exceed 20 meters, with a weight of over 30 tons. They belong to the "Turiasauria," a unique group that flourished in Europe from the Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous.

Dawn of Spanish Dinosaur Research: Aragosaurus

Aragosaurus ("Lizard of Aragon") was the first dinosaur scientifically described in Spain in 1987.
It was a macronarian sauropod that lived in the Early Cretaceous, with a length of about 18 meters. It had broad, spoon-shaped teeth and fed on the coniferous vegetation of the time.

Garumbatitan and Europatitan

Discoveries continue in recent years. Garumbatitan morellensis, described in 2023, is a massive sauropod with a femur reaching about 2 meters in length.
Also, Europatitan eastwoodi, described in 2017, is characterized by an extremely long neck. Incidentally, the specific name eastwoodi honors actor Clint Eastwood, who filmed movies near the discovery site.

Bridge to Africa: Demandasaurus

Demandasaurus, discovered in Burgos, belongs to the Rebbachisauridae family. This group is known mainly from Africa and South America, making its discovery in Europe extremely rare.
The existence of this dinosaur provides evidence that there was a route from Africa to Europe at some point during the Cretaceous period, allowing for dinosaur migration.

Table: Comparative Data of Major Spanish Sauropods

Rulers of the Wetlands: Theropods of Las Hoyas

The "Las Hoyas" site in Cuenca province preserves a wetland environment from about 125 million years ago. It is a world-class fossil site (Lagerstätte) where not only bones but also soft tissues like skin, feathers, and internal organs are preserved.

Hunter with a Strange Back: Concavenator

Described in 2010, Concavenator ("Hump-backed hunter from Cuenca") is a representative theropod of Spain.
The vertebrae just in front of the hips were elongated, forming a pointed "hump" or "fin-like" structure on its back. Whether this was for display or thermoregulation is still debated.
Additionally, structures resembling "quill knobs" were found on its forearm, suggesting it may have had decorative feathers on its arms.

Toothy Mimic: Pelecanimimus

Also discovered in Las Hoyas, Pelecanimimus is a member of the ornithomimosaurs (ostrich dinosaurs). Unlike later species that evolved to lose their teeth, it possessed about 220 tiny teeth in its jaws.
It is thought to have had a pouch-like structure under its throat, similar to a pelican.

Paradise of Spinosaurids

Recent research has revealed that the Iberian Peninsula was an important location for spinosaurid dinosaurs. With crocodile-like faces and a diet of fish near the water, they thrived in the coastal wetlands of Spain.

Previously often considered the same species as Baryonyx from the UK, they are now known to be distinct species.

• Riojavenatrix: A new species described in La Rioja in 2024.
• Protathlitis: Described in 2023. Meaning "Champion," it was named to commemorate the victory of a local football club.
• Vallibonavenatrix: Possesses characteristics close to southern hemisphere spinosaurids.

Twilight of the Cretaceous: Giants of Lo Hueco

Spain in the Late Cretaceous (from about 75 million years ago) was a world dominated by titanosaurs.
In 2007, during the construction of the AVE high-speed railway, a massive fossil bone bed was discovered at "Lo Hueco" in Cuenca province. Over 12,000 fossils were found, and a new species, Qunkasaura, was described in 2024.

It has become clear that endemic lineages evolved on the island and lineages that migrated from outside coexisted in the Iberian Peninsula during this era. This indicates that while Iberia was an isolated island at the time, it also served as a place to welcome new dinosaurs through "corridors" opened by sea-level changes.

Paleontological Infrastructure: Museums and the "Dinosaur Route"

Spain utilizes excavated fossils as regional resources and maintains excellent exhibition facilities.

Dinópolis

A complex facility in Teruel, Aragon, combining a science museum and a theme park. Highlights include a full skeleton of Turiasaurus and a Tyrannosaurus animatronic. Satellite facilities are scattered throughout the province, allowing visitors to learn near excavation sites.

Museum of Paleontology of Castilla-La Mancha (MUPA)

Located in the city of Cuenca, this museum houses collections from Las Hoyas and Lo Hueco. The actual fossil of Concavenator ("Pepito") is a must-see.

Jurassic Museum of Asturias (MUJA)

Located along the "Dinosaur Coast" of Asturias, the building itself is shaped like a giant dinosaur footprint. It is famous for one of the world's largest collections of footprint fossils and unique exhibits of Tyrannosaurus.

Table: Guide to Major Paleontology Museums in Spain

Conclusion

Dinosaur research in Spain is not just about finding new fossils; it is a grand story unraveling how the "island" of the Iberian Peninsula in the Mesozoic functioned as an evolutionary laboratory for life.

The hump on Concavenator's back, the massive body of Turiasaurus, and the spinosaurids that moved between continents. Visiting local museums allows you to experience the dramatic evolutionary history told by these fossils firsthand.