The dinosaur fossil is among the best-preserved dinosaurs ever found in Southeast Asia.
Just when we thought we had discovered all the dinosaur species that existed on Earth, a group of experts has found a new species.
A New Dinosaur Species Discovered in Thailand
An interdisciplinary team of paleontologists has unveiled a new dinosaur species extracted from a dig in Thailand in 2012. This development, published in the academic journal Diversity, provides insights into the fossil’s discovery site, its unique features, and its overall condition.
The fascinating fossil was unearthed from an excavation site in Phu Noi, situated in northern Thailand. The geological region, identified as the Phu Kradung Formation, has been a fruitful source of numerous fossils over time. In this latest discovery, the research squad zeroed in on a well-preserved fossil encased in stone, marking the identification of a new species, christened Minimocursor phunoiensis.
New Dinosaur Species: Minimocursor phunoiensis
The researchers characterized the fossil as an “exceptionally articulate skeleton,” positioning it among the best-preserved dinosaurs ever found in Southeast Asia. It was identified as part of the neornithischian clade, a group known for herbivorous dinosaurs.
The paleontologists deduced that the dinosaur was not fully mature at the time of its death. The creature was four-limbed but predominantly bipedal. It boasted a long body and tail, a beak-like snout, and a unique bony protrusion on its jaw, referred to as a jugal boss. An identifiable ridge along its pelvis was also observed. The creature, believed to have lived between 145 and 163 million years ago, is estimated to have reached approximately 2 meters in length when fully grown.
Dietary and Behavioral Inferences
Based on its physical traits, the researchers conjectured that the dinosaur likely feasted on vegetation and could run swiftly to evade predators. The existence of similar dinosaur fossils in the same area indicates they were quite prevalent in their time.
The team emphasized that the examination of the fossil is an ongoing process, with some of its bones, including the skull, still in need of processing. They anticipate that once this process is finalized, a wealth of information about the dinosaur and its position among its contemporaries will be unveiled.
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