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New Dinosaur Species Unveiled in England
· Confirmed
In Short: Scientists have identified a new dinosaur species, Paludohadros proudlovii, from a fossil discovered in England more than two decades ago.
Scientists have identified a new dinosaur species, Paludohadros proudlovii, from a fossil discovered in England more than two decades ago. The fossil was unearthed in a Surrey quarry in 2001.
Paludohadros lived about 125 million years ago in a wetland environment that covered much of southern England. The plant-eating dinosaur shared its habitat with Baryonyx walkeri, a large, two-legged carnivore also discovered at the same quarry in 1983.
Professor Susannah Maidment, a senior author of the research from the Natural History Museum, London, and the University of Birmingham, explains: “Paludohadros was found just 100 meters (about 330 feet) away from Baryonyx, whose fossils we also look after at the Natural History Museum. While Baryonyx is best known for eating fish, this dinosaur’s last meal also included a baby iguanodontian.”
The discovery of Paludohadros is significant as it is the first new genus and species identified from the Natural History Museum’s collections in over two decades. The dinosaur was named in honor of Will Proudlove, who had a strong interest in the fossils exposed by quarrying operations but died at age 35, shortly before the dinosaur was discovered.
Dr. Sakamoto, another researcher involved in the study, says, “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.”
This discovery is prompting scientists to re-examine other fossils that have spent decades in museum collections. The identification of Paludohadros is part of a broader effort to identify new dinosaur species, including Brighstoneus, Comptonatus, and Istiorachis.
The research team is now planning to go through the Natural History Museum’s iguanodontian collections to identify more new dinosaur species that haven’t yet been recognized.
Of the estimated 8.7 million animal species on Earth, only 1.2 million of them have been officially described, with around 18,000 new species being discovered every year.
The discovery of Paludohadros highlights the ongoing importance of paleontological research in uncovering new species and understanding the biodiversity of ancient ecosystems.
Background
A fossil discovered over two decades ago in England has been identified as a new dinosaur species, Paludohadros proudlovii.
Scientists have identified a new dinosaur species, Paludohadros proudlovii, from a fossil discovered in England more than 20 years ago.
What's confirmed
- Scientists have identified a new dinosaur species, Paludohadros proudlovii, from a fossil discovered in England more than two decades ago. The fossil was unearthed in a Surrey quarry in 2001.
- Paludohadros lived about 125 million years ago in a wetland environment that covered much of southern England. The plant-eating dinosaur shared its habitat with Baryonyx walkeri, a large, two-legged carnivore also discovered at the same quarry in 1983.
- The discovery of Paludohadros is significant as it is the first new genus and species identified from the Natural History Museum’s collections in over two decades. The dinosaur was named in honor of Will Proudlove, who had a strong interest in the fossils exposed by quarrying operations but died at age 35, shortly before the dinosaur was discovered.
- This discovery is prompting scientists to re-examine other fossils that have spent decades in museum collections. The identification of Paludohadros is part of a broader effort to identify new dinosaur species, including Brighstoneus, Comptonatus, and Istiorachis.
- The research team is now planning to go through the Natural History Museum’s iguanodontian collections to identify more new dinosaur species that haven’t yet been recognized.
- Of the estimated 8.7 million animal species on Earth, only 1.2 million of them have been officially described, with around 18,000 new species being discovered every year.
- The discovery of Paludohadros highlights the ongoing importance of paleontological research in uncovering new species and understanding the biodiversity of ancient ecosystems.
What's still developing
- These distinctions have helped paleontologists recognize several separate iguanodontian dinosaurs, including Brighstoneus, Comptonatus, the sail-backed Istiorachis, and now Paludohadros.
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