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New Dinosaur Species Unearthed in England
Confirmed
In Short: Scientists have identified a new dinosaur genus and species, Paludohadros proudlovii, from a fossil discovered in England more than 25 years ago.
Professor Susannah Maidment, a senior author of the research from the Natural History Museum in London and the University of Birmingham, noted that the dinosaur's last meal included a baby iguanodontian, in addition to fish.
The dinosaur lived about 125 million years ago, during a time when southern England was covered in muddy wetlands.
The discovery is named in honor of 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 proudlovii adds to the growing list of distinct iguanodontian dinosaurs, including Brighstoneus, Comptonatus, and Istiorachis.
This discovery could lead to the identification of more new dinosaur species within the Natural History Museum’s collections.
The research also highlights the importance of re-examining existing fossil collections for new insights into dinosaur evolution.
While some scientists remain unconvinced, most paleontologists recognize that modern birds are descendants of theropod dinosaurs, a group that includes velociraptors and Tyrannosaurus rex.
The striking resemblance of Paludohadros proudlovii to modern cassowaries provides further evidence of the evolutionary transition from dinosaurs to birds.
What's confirmed
- Professor Susannah Maidment, a senior author of the research from the Natural History Museum in London and the University of Birmingham, noted that the dinosaur's last meal included a baby iguanodontian, in addition to fish.
- The dinosaur lived about 125 million years ago, during a time when southern England was covered in muddy wetlands.
- The discovery is named in honor of 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 proudlovii adds to the growing list of distinct iguanodontian dinosaurs, including Brighstoneus, Comptonatus, and Istiorachis.
- This discovery could lead to the identification of more new dinosaur species within the Natural History Museum’s collections.
- The research also highlights the importance of re-examining existing fossil collections for new insights into dinosaur evolution.
- While some scientists remain unconvinced, most paleontologists recognize that modern birds are descendants of theropod dinosaurs, a group that includes velociraptors and Tyrannosaurus rex.
- The striking resemblance of Paludohadros proudlovii to modern cassowaries provides further evidence of the evolutionary transition from dinosaurs to birds.
What's still developing
- Even coral colonies of the same species, growing side by side, vary in their tolerance to pressures such as heatwaves.
- Archaeopteryx was a flying dinosaur with feathered wings and lightweight bones like birds.
- Cassowaries may not be dinosaurs, but they are thought to be their closest living relatives.
- While it’s true Archaeopteryx had a mix of avian and reptile attributes, it is clear that bird-like characteristics began to appear in dinosaurs well before the evolution of modern birds.
- What seems like a huge leap to many of us appears to paleontologists as a predominantly orderly transition from dinosaurs to birds.
- Theropods are two-legged dinosaurs that include velociraptors and their terrifying Tyrannosaurus rex cousins.