In a discovery that challenges our understanding of dinosaur distribution during the Late Jurassic period, palaeontologists have identified the first evidence of the iconic Diplodocus outside North America.
The remarkable find of this sauropod, detailed today by researchers from the Fundación Conjunto Paleontológico de Teruel-Dinópolis in the peer-reviewed Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology , represents one of the most complete diplodocid skeletons ever discovered in Europe.
A Historic Discovery
The fossil specimen was unearthed at the La Tejería site in El Castellar, Teruel, Spain. Over time a team of palaeontologists from the Fundación Dinópolis, excavated 14 exceptionally preserved caudal (tail) vertebrae and several chevron bones.
Until now, all confirmed Diplodocus specimens had come exclusively from the Morrison Formation in the western United States.
Sergio Sánchez Fenollosa, PhD student in biodiversity and evolutionary biology at Fundación Dinópolis and lead author of the article, explains: "We are delighted with this discovery.
“It was an exciting and continuous process of seeing the pieces of the puzzle gradually fall into place. From the early stages of the osteological study, we noticed strong similarities with several diplodocine sauropods. As we looked more closely at the anatomy, we began to identify a combination of features characteristic of Diplodocus species. Then, as we carried out different evolutionary analyses, they kept pointing in the same direction. With each new result, the picture became clearer: we were looking at a Diplodocus.”
Sergio adds: “And what is more, the outcome of the dig is some of the strongest paleontological evidence for episodes of dispersal and faunal exchange between the two continents across the proto-Atlantic Ocean during the Late Jurassic.
“Essentially, this discovery allows us to better understand Iberian Mesozoic ecosystems and the diversity of sauropod dinosaurs that inhabited the European Jurassic."
The Spanish Diplodocus dates to approximately 150 million years ago, at the end of the Jurassic Period. Its presence in Europe provides compelling evidence that dinosaurs could migrate between North America and Europe during the Late Jurassic, likely crossing temporary land bridges that emerged as the proto-North Atlantic Ocean underwent regressive phases.
A giant among giants at Teruel
Co-author Dr Alberto Cobos, managing director of Fundación Dinópolis, points out: "The Diplodocus from El Castellar was approximately 25 meters long (comparable in size to its North American relatives), making it another of the giant sauropods of the Spanish Jurassic, alongside other sauropod dinosaurs from Teruel with characteristics very different from those of diplodocids, such as Turiasaurus and Losillasaurus, among others.
"The fossils of all these dinosaurs, including those of the new Diplodocus specimen, make Teruel a reference place for understanding this great diversity.”
Exceptional preservation – that can be witnessed by the public
The fossil's remarkable state of preservation allowed researchers to identify distinctive anatomical features characteristic of Diplodocus, including:
Using both traditional anatomical comparisons and advanced phylogenetic analyses (including maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference methods), the research team confidently placed the specimen within the Diplodocus genus, specifically as a close relative of Diplodocus hallorum.
The fossils are currently on display for future research and public education in the dinosaur hall of the Museo Aragonés de Paleontología at Dinópolis in Teruel – a city in eastern Spain, that sits roughly between Madrid and Valencia.
About Diplodocus
Diplodocus is one of the most recognizable dinosaurs in the world, famous for its enormous length (up to 25 meters), long whip-like tail, and relatively small head. Since its discovery in the United States in 1878, and throughout the early 20th century, casts of Diplodocus skeletons have been displayed in leading natural history museums worldwide, making it a symbol of global paleontology and a beloved icon of prehistoric life. Its presence in exhibitions and audiovisual productions about dinosaurs has helped make it one of the best-known "terrible lizards" among the general public.
Implications for Late Jurassic Ecosystems
The discovery also sheds new light on the rich dinosaur diversity of Late Jurassic eastern Iberia. The region where the specimen was found has yielded numerous dinosaur fossils including sauropods, theropods, stegosaurs, and ornithopods, suggesting these ancient coastal environments supported complex and diverse ecosystems.
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology
Observational study
Animal tissue samples
Intercontinental evidence of the iconic genus Diplodocus Marsh, 1878 (Dinosauria, Sauropoda)
15-Sep-2026