So, I grew up my whole life thinking that Argentinosaurus was the biggest dinosaur to ever live, but since Patagotitan was discovered, now everyone gives it the title. I heard it was because the latest has more complete fossil record, but I'm still not completely sure.
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It was heralded as the largest when first discovered due to a high mass estimate of 77 tons; but when comparing individual elements it is ever so slightly outclassed by Argentinosaurus in almost every category, suggesting the size estimates were probably overblown.
This article goes over the individual element numbers.
In reality, both are probably about the same size.
I mean they roughly fall into the same size class along with stuff like puertasaurus.
Unless we find a very conclusive, well preserved fossil that swings it towards one animal or another.
Most paleontologists think that A. Huinculensis was the largest in terms of weight while P. Mayorum is often considered the largest confirmed dinosaur in terms of size because its fossils were way more complete. A. Huinculensis is known from more fragmentary fossils from multiple individuals but the massive vertebrae suggest greater bulk.
When discussing the size of the largest dinosaurs overall, weight and mass plays the most important role so despite Patagotitan giving clearer answers, the fact that argentinosaurus is believed to be heavier (about 70-90 tonnes) is why many medias will tell you that Argentinosaurus is currently the largest known dinosaur
Interesting 👍🏻