In a groundbreaking revelation, a former PhD student has discovered a brand-new species of dinosaur sporting a sail on its back, shaking up our understanding of ancient life!

This incredible find, unveiled in the journal *Papers in Palaeontology*, originates from fossils that date back 125 million years, unearthed on the Isle of Wight, England’s geological treasure.

Initially, these intriguing fossils were believed to belong to known iguanodontian species. However, during his studies at the University of Portsmouth, Jeremy Lockwood, a retired physician, noticed something remarkable: the spinal structure showed peculiar characteristics, including an unusually tall neural spine.

Thanks to his keen eye and medical expertise, Lockwood re-examined bones stored at the Dinosaur Isle Museum. He reviewed existing literature and confirmed his suspicion—this wasn’t just another dinosaur; it was an entirely new species!

"It was a delightful surprise," Lockwood shared in a recent interview. "We've uncovered that the diversity of dinosaurs 125 million years ago was much richer than we imagined!"

But what’s the purpose of that sail? Theories abound—from temperature control to fat storage—but Lockwood proposes a more visually intriguing explanation: perhaps it was used for signaling during mating rituals.

Named *Istiorachis macarthurae*, where 'Istiorachis' translates to 'sail spine' in Ancient Greek, this soaring discovery honors Dame Ellen MacArthur, a legendary sailor from the Isle of Wight who set a global record for a solo non-stop circumnavigation.

"To have a dinosaur named after you is something truly extraordinary!" exclaimed MacArthur. "It's a remarkable feeling to connect this ancient creature to my family legacy."

Lockwood emphasized the connection to the Isle of Wight, saying, "This island has a rich paleontological history, and I aim to honor that in my naming choices." The new dinosaur is roughly the size of an American bison, showcasing that even smaller dinosaurs held fascinating evolutionary traits.

This isn’t merely an isolated discovery; the Isle of Wight has exploded with excitement in recent years, revealing ten new dinosaur species in just the last six years. Buckle up—who knows what other prehistoric marvels await beneath the soil!