New Dinosaur Species Unearthed in Mongolia
A team of paleontologists has unearthed the most complete fossils of a newly identified species of dome-headed dinosaur during their digs in Mongolia.
The discovery was made in Kuhlenduku, located in Mongolia’s East Gobi Basin, an area once bustling with lakes and cliffs in the prehistoric era.
The fossil has been classified as a new species of Pakisephalosaurus named Zavasephale rinpoche. A research paper outlining these findings was published in Nature on Wednesday.
This skeleton is noted as the oldest and most complete specimen of this species ever found, and the team heralded it as a “one-in-a-lifetime discovery.”
“This discovery pushes back the fossil record of this group by at least 15 million years, making it the oldest identified Pakisephalosaurus,” stated Lindsay Zanno, co-author of the study and associate professor at North Carolina State University.
The skeleton is believed to have belonged to a juvenile dinosaur, measuring just 3 feet long and weighing around 13 pounds. Its well-formed dome head suggests it was likely sexually mature before its death, according to Tsogtbaatar Chizorig, the lead author.
The skull was small enough to fit comfortably in a researcher’s palm.
Pachycephalosaurus is particularly well-known for its large head adorned with a protective shield-like covering. These dinosaurs often used their heads for forceful impacts, resembling the way goats clash their horns.
In addition to serving as a protective feature, these thick domes may have played a role in attracting mates and avoiding rivalries. Presumably, the more impressive dome might have been the more desirable.
“If you’re looking to build relationships, starting early might just be the best strategy,” Zanno mentioned.
This significant discovery, Z. rinpoche, stands as the earliest known specimen from the Pachycephalosaurians. The research suggests these fossils indicate the development of the frontoparietal dome for at least an additional 14 million years.
“Z. rinpoche is critical for understanding how the Pachycephalosaur cranial dome evolved. The lack of earlier-diverging or previously branched species, along with the fragmented nature of most Pachysephalosaurian fossils, has made this a hot topic of debate,” Chizorig expressed.
Interestingly, in late August, another group of scientists made headlines by discovering fossilized larvae from over 500 million years ago, remarkably intact with both brains and intestines preserved.
On a less fortunate note, a professor from William Patterson University in New Jersey has initiated legal action against his university for failing to cover excessive UPS fees while transporting his collection from Florida. According to the lawsuit, he was left feeling abandoned in Tennessee regarding a significant part of his life’s work.
