Paleontologist at BPP University Matthew Baron identified a previously unknown carnivorous dinosaur in Dorset, England, based on fossils collected in the 1850s.
Dornraptor Normani It is thought that they lived during the early Jurassic period, about 200 million years ago.
This new species is Averostrana large group that includes most theropod dinosaurs, namely ceratosaurs and tetanurans.
“Dornraptor Normani “This represents a 'more derived' theropod than the theropods already named in the Early Jurassic of Britain,” Baron said in his paper.
Two partial but distinctive hind limbs Dornraptor Normani was discovered in blue rias formation Located in Dorset, England.
“Originally, this material referred to an early armored ornithischian taxon. Scelidosaurus harrisoniIt was also discovered in the Lower Jurassic of southern England,” the paleontologists wrote.
“However, this error in assignment was quickly recognized and corrected in subsequent studies, and the material in question was reclassified as an indeterminate theropod.”
“Recent studies suggest possible neotheropod and even tetanuran affinities for at least some of this material, but its true phylogenetic and taxonomic affinities are unclear. No agreement has been reached yet.”
“Although this material appears to exhibit a distinct combination of anatomical features, this material has not been formally named.”
“In our study, we re-evaluated the two specimens, compared and contrasted them with other known Triassic and Early Jurassic theropods, and used three different anatomical datasets to determine their likely Two are focused on theropods and the other on common early dinosaurs.”
“The results of these analyses, combined with the anatomical comparisons presented herein, raise the possibility that this fragmentary material represents a distinct Averostra neotheropod that arose early and diverged early. It suggests that there is.
According to research, Dornraptor Normani It is one of the oldest known theropod dinosaurs in the UK.Early-diverging torsotheropods only Pendraig Milnerae Known from ancient layers.
“This conclusion therefore extends our current understanding of the evolution and distribution of early theropods within Britain and Europe, and suggests that Averostra was present in Britain during the Early Jurassic.” said Dr. Baron in his paper.
“This taxon, as well as many other vertebrates, including at least one thyreophoran ornithischian dinosaur, appears to have been contemporary with other non-Abelostranian theropods, and was a terrestrial species in the Early Jurassic. This image of the fauna is consistent with other localities of similar era around the world. ”
“For example, in the La Quinta Formation of Venezuela, we see a similar combination of early ornithischian/possibly thyreophoran ornithischians and early divergent Aberrostra theropods. La Quinta Saura Venezuela and Tathyraptor Admirabilis”
“Finally, our study also highlights the benefits of constantly reevaluating materials held in historic collections.”
“Our broader understanding of the diversity and distribution of non-avian dinosaurs throughout the Mesozoic can be expanded not only by new discoveries in the field, but also by reassessments of old material and fresh analyses. ”
“As more powerful analytical tools and datasets become available, and as more new taxa are named and described for comparison, hitherto hidden patterns of diversity and disparity within existing collections are revealed. More may be revealed in the future.”
“It is only through constant reassessment of known material, often in the light of new discoveries, that we can truly understand the true richness of the global fossil record.”
of paper Published in an online journal Old Trogia Electronica.
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Matthew G. Barron. 2024. New names for old bones: A reassessment of Early Jurassic theropod fossils from Dorset, England. Old Trogia Electronica 27 (1):a25; doi: 10.26879/1346
Source: www.sci.news
