Brontomerus

This is reflected in the name Brontomerus, which literally means "thunder-thighs."

Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph online, Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph 2011

It's possible that Brontomerus mcintoshi was more athletic than most other sauropods.

Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph online, Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph 2011

They used the bones to identify Brontomerus' unique features, primarily the shape of the hip bone, which, in the case of Brontomerus, is unusually large in comparison to that of similar dinosaurs.

Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph online, Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph 2011

Other marks on the bones give additional clues to Brontomerus' lifestyle and environment.

Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph online, Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph 2011

Co author Dr Matt Wedel, assistant professor of anatomy at Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, Calif., explained: The shoulder blade of Brontomerus has unusual bumps that probably mark the boundaries of muscle attachments, suggesting that Brontomerus had powerful forelimb muscles as well.

Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph online, Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph 2011

Brontomerus lived about 110 million years ago, during the Early Cretaceous Period, and probably had to contend with fierce "raptors" such as Deinonychus and Utahraptor.

Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph online, Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph 2011

It is well established that far from being swamp-bound hippo-like animals, sauropods preferred drier, upland areas; so perhaps Brontomerus lived in rough, hilly terrain and the powerful leg muscles were a sort of dinosaur four-wheel drive.

Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph online, Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph 2011

Bones found in Utah gave paleontologists clues to Brontomerus' unique features

Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph online, Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph 2011

A member of the long-necked sauropod group of dinosaurs which includes Diplodocus and Brachiosaurus, Brontomerus may have used its powerful thighs as a weapon to kick predators, or to help travel over rough, hilly terrain, experts believe.

Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph online, Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph 2011

While Brontomerus' unusual hip structure and enormous thigh muscles place it on the list of most extreme dinosaurs, it is also a significant find for another reason.

Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph online, Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph 2011