Scientists Find New Predatory Dinosaur Species Fossils In Mongolia!

Scientists Find New Predatory Dinosaur Species Fossils In Mongolia!

In Mongolia, scientists have unearthed the fossil of a new predatory dinosaur that was likely a semi-aquatic diving predator.

According to research published in Communications Biology on Thursday, a nearly complete skeleton discovered in the Omnogovi Province depicts a bird-like creature that has been dubbed “Natovenator polydontus” or “Swimming hunter with many teeth.”

In 2008, members of the Korea-Mongolia International Dinosaur Expedition discovered dinosaur fossils in the Baruungyot Formation. Professor of vertebrate palaeontology Young-Nam Lee, who oversaw the excavation, told ABC News.

During the voyage, 196 specimens were collected by 27 crew members. The Natovenator polydontus was discovered by University of Alberta graduate student Robin Sissons, according to Lee.

Despite not knowing what the fossil was then, Lee stated that Sissons created a plaster jacket because the specimen was not fully exposed in the field.

All of the fossils from that collection were subsequently transferred to South Korea for preparation and research, where “the entire skeleton of a new species of dinosaur was discovered,” according to Lee.

Lee stated that the specimen “was extremely delicate yet nicely maintained.”

It consisted of a head, spinal column, forelimb, and hindlimbs. According to the experts, its streamlined form and ribs that point toward its tail resemble modern diving birds, while its long neck resembles modern aquatic birds such as geese. These adaptations may have helped the Natovenator capture prey by reducing the drag it experienced while swimming.

According to the researchers, the presence of a “vast number of teeth” relative to the size of the dinosaur’s jaw indicates that it consumed a fish- or insect-based diet.

“We understood immediately that it was significant,” Lee added. It possessed a characteristic head with numerous small teeth and a very long neck.

According to the researchers, this is the first time a non-avian theropod — a predatory dinosaur that walked on two legs — was discovered with a streamlined physique comparable to some birds.

According to an analysis of evolutionary relationships, the new species is also closely connected to halszkaraptorines, a group of non-avian theropod dinosaurs that, according to earlier studies, may have been adapted for a semiaquatic lifestyle.

Lee stated, “Natovenator is a valuable discovery.” “The discovery of semi-aquatic dinosaurs indicates that the ecological variety of dinosaurs was quite considerable. Halszkaraptorines could alter our preconceived notions on dinosaur lifestyles.”