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In a study published September 29, researchers at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom unveiled the names of two new dinosaur species. Both large and carnivorous, these new species are part of the spinosaurid family, which is a type of theropod.
The new species was named “Lower ceratosuchops“, Which translates as” hellish heron with a crocodile face “and”Milner’s retailer“, Which translates as” Hunter on the banks of the Milner River. ” The latter is named after Angela Milner, the late British paleontologist. They are most reminiscent of the baryonyx species that were key to Milner’s research, and were estimated to be about nine meters in length.
The bones were found near the village of Brightone, famous for its excavation, the Wessex Formation. This geologic feature contains fossils and other discovered elements from the early Cretaceous period. This area in the United Kingdom is well known for its spinosaurid fossils. Baryonyx was originally discovered in neighboring Surrey.
Spinosaurid means “spiny reptile” and belongs to the theropod family. Theropods are usually carnivorous, hollow-boned, and three-toed. In fact, they are a cross between modern birds and crocodiles. Tyrannosaurus Rex is the most famous of the theropod pod, but it is not the closest relative of the two newest theropods.
Although theropods are fairly well known, spinosaurids are special and unusual dinosaurs. They have the same hollow bones and a three-toed foot, but also elongated bodies, dorsal sails, and spines along the back and head (as in cassowaries).
Baryonyx
Baryonyx is the most similar spinosaurid to the new dinosaurs. This dinosaur lived in the early Cretaceous period (about 125 million years ago!). The head of the baryonyx most closely resembles a modern crocodile. It is also a carnivore and is hunted on the banks of rivers in the UK and Spain. These countries were geographically closer to each other at the time, as Pangea, the supercontinent, had recently begun to divide.
This dinosaur walked on two legs like a Tyrannosaurus rex. Its crocodile-like head also helps it hunt both terrestrial and aquatic animals. Eventually, as the baryonyx evolved and became more like most other spinosaurids, it became more aquatic.
Characteristics of Ceratosuchops Inferodios
Certosuchops Inferodios is one of the newest dinosaurs – spinosaurids, a cross between a crocodile and a heron. In fact, this name translates as “hellish heron with a horned crocodile face.” This name most likely refers to the dinosaur hunting style: it is similar to the heron hunting style.
This means that Certosuchops Inferodios most likely stood on two hind legs, looking for prey and then grabbing it with its crocodile-like jaws. Most likely, this dinosaur ate both aquatic and terrestrial animals like the baryonyx.
Riparoventator Milnerae Specifications
This dinosaur is also named for its hunting style. Riparoventator Milnerae translates as “Hunter on the Milner River.” Similar to Baryonyx and Certosuchops Inferodios, this spinosaurid also has a crocodile-like head. Although the skulls of all three species have distinct differences, they all indicate the same aquatic and terrestrial hunting styles.
The Riparoventator Milnerae most likely hunted along the river banks in search of its prey, as its name suggests. Like most spinosaurids, the Riparoventator Milnerae most likely evolved to hunt purely aquatic animals.
Impact of this discovery
While many details about Riparoventator Milnerae and Ceratosuchops Inferodios are still being explored, the discovery does have a big impact on the world of paleontology.
The discovery of these two species indicates that at least three large carnivorous spinosaurids lived at the same time in the United Kingdom. It also gives more context and detail to the researchers’ imagery of the European spinosaurid. The discovery will help researchers learn more about this elusive type of dinosaur.
Since the researchers only found parts of the skeleton, paleontologists hope to find more bones that will provide an even better understanding of these two new types of dinosaurs.
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