A photo (above) and an outline drawing (below) of a fossilized dinosaur skeleton of Xingxiulong yueorum initially discovered in Lufeng city, Yunnan province. CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

Chinese scientists have identified a new species of Early Jurassic sauropod dinosaur, named Xingxiulong yueorum, based on a fossilized skeleton discovered in the country's southwestern Yunnan province.

The dinosaur's fossil specimen was initially discovered in 2015 in the city of Lufeng. It is a well-preserved skeleton from the posterior to the head, extending from the second dorsal vertebra to the 20th caudal vertebra, along with the left scapula and nearly complete girdle and hind limbs.

Scientists believe the creature belongs to the Xingxiulong species from the Lower Jurassic period and shares some similarities with the previously discovered Xingxiulong chengi, including having four sacral vertebrae.

However, it also has its own unique features, including a flat dorsal edge of the astragalus and two ossified phalanges on the fifth toe.

Additionally, the new species is larger, with an estimated length of 8 to 10 meters, compared to the previous species, which measures 4 to 5 meters long.

The discovery was published online in the international journal Historical Biology earlier this month.

Lead researcher You Hailu with the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences said the discovery increased the diversity of dinosaurs that once lived in Southwest China and provided new evidence for studying the evolution of sauropods.