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New Dinosaur Species Identified in England
· Confirmed
In Short: Scientists have identified a new dinosaur species, Paludohadros proudlovii, from a fossil discovered in England more than 20 years ago.
The fossil, found in a Surrey quarry, was initially thought to be part of an existing species but has now been recognized as a distinct genus.
Professor Susannah Maidment, a senior author of the research from the Natural History Museum, London, and the University of Birmingham, noted that Paludohadros shared its environment with Baryonyx walkeri, a large carnivore also discovered at the same site in 1983.
Paludohadros lived about 125 million years ago in a wetland environment, and its diet included a young iguanodontian, suggesting that Baryonyx also preyed on other dinosaurs.
The discovery is named after Will Proudlove, who had a strong interest in fossils exposed by quarrying operations but died at age 35 shortly before the dinosaur was discovered.
The identification of Paludohadros is prompting scientists to reconsider other fossils that have spent decades in museum collections.
Dr. Sacamoto, who named the species, expressed his honor and excitement at identifying a new dinosaur species.
The research is part of a broader effort to understand the diversity of iguanodontian dinosaurs, including Brighstoneus, Comptonatus, and Istiorachis.
Background
A dinosaur fossil unearthed in England more than two decades ago has been identified as a new genus and species, Paludohadros proudlovii.
Scientists have discovered a giant fungus in China and made other significant scientific breakthroughs.
What's confirmed
- The fossil, found in a Surrey quarry, was initially thought to be part of an existing species but has now been recognized as a distinct genus.
- Professor Susannah Maidment, a senior author of the research from the Natural History Museum, London, and the University of Birmingham, noted that Paludohadros shared its environment with Baryonyx walkeri, a large carnivore also discovered at the same site in 1983.
- Paludohadros lived about 125 million years ago in a wetland environment, and its diet included a young iguanodontian, suggesting that Baryonyx also preyed on other dinosaurs.
- The discovery is named after Will Proudlove, who had a strong interest in fossils exposed by quarrying operations but died at age 35 shortly before the dinosaur was discovered.
- The identification of Paludohadros is prompting scientists to reconsider other fossils that have spent decades in museum collections.
- Dr. Sacamoto, who named the species, expressed his honor and excitement at identifying a new dinosaur species.
- The research is part of a broader effort to understand the diversity of iguanodontian dinosaurs, including Brighstoneus, Comptonatus, and Istiorachis.
What's still developing
- Named Paludohadros proudlovii, the plant-eating dinosaur lived about 125 million years ago, when muddy wetlands covered much of southern England.
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- Although Baryonyx is particularly well known for eating fish, evidence of a young iguanodontian in its last meal suggests that other dinosaurs were also part of its diet.
- “ Paludohadros is the first species I’ve ever named and I’m honored to have been able to work on it. I still remember the incredible moment when I realized that this was a new species that no one had ever identified before,” Sacamoto says.