Fossilized tracks of predatory and plant-eating dinosaurs found in the UK dating back to 166 million years ago

Paleontologists discovered hundreds of different dinosaur footprints, including one left by a ferocious 9-meter (29.5-foot) predator megalosaurus Dewar’s Farm Quarry in Oxfordshire, England, by a herbivorous dinosaur up to twice its size.

Footprints of carnivorous and herbivorous dinosaurs at Dewar’s Farm Quarry in Oxfordshire, England. Image credit: University of Birmingham.

Professor Kirsty Edgar from the University of Birmingham said: “These footprints provide a special window into the lives of dinosaurs, revealing details about their movements, interactions and the tropical environments they lived in. ” he said.

Professor Edgar and colleagues have unearthed five vast dinosaur footprints dating back to the mid-Jurassic period, some 166 million years ago.

The longest continuous track was over 150 m (492 ft) long.

Four of the orbits were created by giant, long-necked herbivorous dinosaurs called sauropods. cetiosaurusa cousin of the famous brassica, which can grow up to 18 meters (59 ft) in length. diplodocus.

The fifth orbit was created by a carnivorous theropod dinosaur megalosaurusit was characterized by large three-toed feet with claws.

Parts of the site show intersecting carnivore and herbivore tracks, raising questions about whether and how the two were interacting.

“Scientists know about it and have studied it. megalosaurus Dr Emma Nicholls, a vertebrate paleontologist at Oxford University’s Natural History Museum, said: “They lived longer than any other dinosaur on Earth, but recent discoveries show that new evidence of these animals still exists and discoveries It proves that we are waiting for the future.”

Paleontologists worked together to discover around 200 footprints and used aerial drone photography to build a detailed 3D model of the site.

Professor Richard Butler, from the University of Birmingham, said: “There is much more we can learn from this site. It is an important part of our global heritage.”

“Our 3D model will allow researchers to continue their studies and make this fascinating part of our past accessible for generations to come.”

During the excavation, researchers took more than 20,000 images of the footprints.

These provide a wealth of material for further research and education, providing valuable information about how these dinosaurs walked, their speed, size, whether they interacted, and how they interacted. May provide insight.

Dr Duncan Murdoch, a researcher at Oxford University’s Natural History Museum, said: “The preservation is very detailed and you can see how the mud deformed as the dinosaur’s feet moved in and out.”

“Together with other fossils such as burrows, shells and plants, they can bring to life the muddy lagoon environment that the dinosaurs walked through.”

Source: www.sci.news

Confirmation of a new plant-eating dinosaur species in Argentina

Paleontologists have identified a species of medium-sized iguanodont ornithopod dinosaur from two specimens found in northwestern Patagonia, Argentina.



Reconstruction of the life of early rhabdodontomorph dinosaurs Iani Smitty. Image credit: Jorge Gonzalez.

Emilia Saura Alessandri They lived in what is now Patagonia during the Valanginian period of the Early Cretaceous period, about 138 million years ago.

“Knowing early Cretaceous dinosaurs is crucial for gaining insight into the evolution of the clade characteristic of younger Cretaceous fauna,” said lead author Dr. Rodolfo Coria, Argentina, Canada , said a European colleague.

“Dinosaur diversity around the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary represents a unique chapter characterized by the establishment of several major lineages.”

“However, knowledge of the diversity of dinosaurs during the Early Cretaceous period is poor, especially in South America.”

Emilia Saura Alessandri belongs to rhabdodontomorphaa group of early Iguanodon dinosaurs within the clade ornithopoda.

This dinosaur group consists of small to large plant-eating animals that live in Europe and Gondwana.

Emilia Saura Alessandri “This is the first South American record of the family Rhabdodontomorphinae, and is currently the oldest and more primitive member of this clade,” the paleontologists said.

“This new species formed part of a diverse Early Cretaceous (Valanginian) dinosaur assemblage that also included diplodocids, sauropods of the dicraeosauridae, and theropods of the carcharodontosauridae.”

Emilia Saura Alessandri It is represented by two fossil specimens collected from different locations and stratigraphic levels. Murichinko formation.

“The holotype specimen includes the coracoid, proximal scapula, humerus, and complete right hindlimb, whereas the paratype specimen preserves vertebral elements, haemarchus, incomplete pelvis, and nearly complete hindlimb. “, the researchers said.

“The new species has an anteroposteriorly elongated ilium with an S-shaped dorsal margin and a broad short shelf, a femoral shaft with a proximally located broad fourth trochanter, and a short, stout diaphysis similar to that of the new species. It has a second toe with a blunt claw phalanx.” tonic ataxia ornithopod

of findings Published in this week's magazine Cretaceous research.

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RA Korea others. The first Valanginian (Early Cretaceous) ornithopods (order Dinosauria, order Ornithischian) from Patagonia. Cretaceous researchpublished online October 16, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106027

Source: www.sci.news