Groundbreaking Discovery in the Jurassic!

Paleontologists in Portugal have made an electrifying discovery: several fossils of previously unknown large-sized iguanodontian dinosaurs, dating back 150 million years to the Late Jurassic epoch!

Unearthed from various sites within the Lusitanian Basin in western Portugal, these stunning remains highlight the rich prehistoric history of the region.

Meet SHN.JJS.015: A New Heavyweight in the Dinosaur Kingdom!

One extraordinary specimen, labeled SHN.JJS.015, belongs to an early-diverging group of Ankylopollexia. This mysterious group of herbivorous dinosaurs roamed across North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia during the Late Jurassic to Late Cretaceous periods.

Dr. Filippo Maria Rotatori, a prominent paleontologist from GEOBIOTEC at the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, expressed his astonishment: It was a surprise! We thought we had a solid understanding of the diversity of this group in Portugal, but this discovery proves there's still so much left to uncover.

A Must-See in the Dinosaur Hall!

While they haven’t yet assigned a formal scientific name to this heavy-weight dinosaur, Professor Fernando Escaso noted that SHN.JJS.015 is bulkier than known species like Draconyx and Eousdryosaurus, which likely cohabitated the same ecosystems.

Additionally, researchers unearthed smaller, isolated bones in the same area, raising the possibility that these bones belong to the same species as SHN.JJS.015!

A Pivotal Moment for Paleontology!

This discovery not only adds a new name to the sparse Late Jurassic iguanodontian roster of the Iberian landmasses but also confirms that three medium- to large-sized ankylopollexian ornithopods coexisted in southwestern Europe during the Tithonian stage (149 to 143 million years ago).

The findings emphasize the critical role of Europe in the diversification of early iguanodontians during the Late Jurassic period and enhance our understanding of prehistoric biogeography.

Stay Tuned for More Exciting Discoveries!

The thrilling research appears in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, rendering paleontology enthusiasts even more eager for what’s to come!