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Scientists Discover a New Dinosaur Species Hiding in Plain Sight for 25 Years
Confirmed
In Short: Scientists have identified a new dinosaur species, Paludohadros proudlovii, from a fossil discovered in England more than 20 years ago.
Professor Susannah Maidment, a senior author of the research from the Natural History Museum, London, and the University of Birmingham, explained that Paludohadros shared its Early Cretaceous environment with Baryonyx walkeri, a large, two-legged carnivore discovered at the same quarry in 1983.
The dinosaur's last meal included a baby iguanodontian, suggesting that Baryonyx, known for eating fish, also preyed on other dinosaurs.
The discovery is 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.
The identification of Paludohadros is prompting scientists to reconsider other fossils that have spent decades in museum collections.
Dr. Sacamoto, who named the species, said, “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.”
Background
Scientists have identified a new dinosaur species, Paludohadros proudlovii, from a fossil discovered in England more than 20 years ago.
Scientists have discovered a giant fungus in China and made other significant scientific breakthroughs.
What's confirmed
- Professor Susannah Maidment, a senior author of the research from the Natural History Museum, London, and the University of Birmingham, explained that Paludohadros shared its Early Cretaceous environment with Baryonyx walkeri, a large, two-legged carnivore discovered at the same quarry in 1983.
- The dinosaur's last meal included a baby iguanodontian, suggesting that Baryonyx, known for eating fish, also preyed on other dinosaurs.
- The discovery is 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.
- The identification of Paludohadros is prompting scientists to reconsider other fossils that have spent decades in museum collections.
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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- “This is a highly interesting phenomenon that appears to be unique to Saturn, and we want to know why,” he said.
- The findings are significant because it shows “the ‘unique’ hexagon is not as extraordinary as we thought,” lead author Agustin Sánchez-Lavega with the University of the Basque Country said in an email.