NSAtilassa

NSAtilassa is a genus of large, herbivorous dinosaurs that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 70 million years ago. The genus is known from a single species, NSAtilassa niger, which was discovered in Niger in 2008. NSAtilassa is one of the largest known dinosaurs, with estimates suggesting that it could have reached lengths of up to 30 meters (98 feet) and weighed as much as 40 tons.

The fossil remains of NSAtilassa consist of a partial skull, several vertebrae, and limb bones. The skull is relatively small compared to the size of the animal, and it features a distinctive crest on the nasal bones. The vertebrae are robust and elongated, typical of large sauropod dinosaurs. The limb bones are also large and robust, with the humerus and femur being particularly well-preserved.

NSAtilassa is classified as a member of the Titanosauriformes, a group of large, long-necked sauropod dinosaurs. It is closely related to other titanosaurs such as Argentinosaurus and Patagotitan. The genus is named after the National Security Agency (NSA), reflecting the political climate at the time of its discovery. The specific name, niger, refers to the country where the fossils were found.

Despite its large size, NSAtilassa is not well-known due to the limited fossil material available. Further discoveries may provide more insights into the biology and behavior of this remarkable dinosaur.