Latest news with #Triassic
Scottish Sun
16-05-2025
- Science
- Scottish Sun
New species of dog-sized killer dinosaur that roamed Earth 220m years ago discovered – but its name isn't too catchy
Scroll down to find out more about the mighty beast DINO DISCOVERY New species of dog-sized killer dinosaur that roamed Earth 220m years ago discovered – but its name isn't too catchy A NEW dog-sized dinosaur species that roamed the Earth 220 million years ago has been discovered. The Maleriraptor kuttyi is thought to be one of the earliest killer dinosaurs in history. Advertisement 2 The Maleriraptor kuttyi is thought to be one of the earliest killer dinosaurs Credit: Márcio L. Castro. 2 The now-extinct dinosaur is believed to have lived some 220 million years ago - during the Triassic period. The small but mighty beast could grow to a height of 3.2 feet and a length of 6.5 feet - about the size of a large-breed dog such as a Great Dane. And the creature was one of the earliest known carnivorous dinosaurs, along with the rest of the Herrerasauria family. Dr. Martín Ezcurra from the Argentina's Natural Science museum said: 'Herrerasaurs represent the oldest radiation of predatory dinosaurs.' Advertisement The fossilised dinosaur bones were discovered more than in Telangana, India forty years ago. But only now have scientists identified exactly what species these bones belonged to. Herrerasauria fossils were previously found in South and North America. But the new bombshell discovery has proved that the creatures roamed far more of the Earth than previously thought. Advertisement And the dinosaurs in India are believed to have outlived those elsewhere. Scientists believe this might be because India had a similar climate to South America during the Triassic period. The unique dinosaur attraction in a famous London park that is free to visit This comes after a giant horned dinosaur species was unearthed in Egypt. The predatory dinosaur species, named Tameryraptor markgrafi, was originally discovered in 1914 by Ernst Stromer von Reichenbach who died in 1952. Advertisement The 95million-year-old skeleton was excavated in the Bahariya Oasis in Egypt before it was stored in the Bavarian State Collection for Paleontology and Geology in Munich, Germany. But the remains were destroyed along with other Egyptian discoveries when Munich was bombed in World War Two. Tragically the only remnants of the dinosaur discovery were Dr Stromer's notes, illustrations of the bones and black and white photographs of the skeletons. But Dr Stromer's records have now been reanalysed in a new study. Advertisement Maximilian Kellermann, the study's first author said: 'What we saw in the historical images surprised us all. "The Egyptian dinosaur fossil depicted there differs significantly from more recent Carcharodontosaurus found in Morocco.'
The Irish Sun
16-05-2025
- Science
- The Irish Sun
New species of dog-sized killer dinosaur that roamed Earth 220m years ago discovered – but its name isn't too catchy
A NEW dog-sized dinosaur species that roamed the Earth 220 million years ago has been discovered. The Maleriraptor kuttyi is thought to be one of the earliest killer dinosaurs in history. Advertisement 2 The Maleriraptor kuttyi is thought to be one of the earliest killer dinosaurs Credit: Márcio L. Castro. 2 The now-extinct dinosaur is believed to have lived some 220 million years ago - during the Triassic period. The small but mighty beast could grow to a height of 3.2 feet and a length of 6.5 feet - about the size of a large-breed dog such as a Great Dane. And the creature was one of the earliest known carnivorous dinosaurs, along with the rest of the Herrerasauria family. Dr. Martín Ezcurra from the Argentina's Natural Science museum said: 'Herrerasaurs represent the oldest radiation of predatory dinosaurs.' Advertisement The fossilised dinosaur bones were discovered more than in Telangana, India forty years ago. But only now have scientists identified exactly what species these bones belonged to. Herrerasauria fossils were previously found in South and North America. But the new bombshell discovery has proved that the creatures roamed far more of the Earth than previously thought. Advertisement Most read in The US Sun And the dinosaurs in India are believed to have outlived those elsewhere. Scientists believe this might be because India had a similar climate to South America during the Triassic period. The unique dinosaur attraction in a famous London park that is free to visit This comes after a The predatory Advertisement The 95million-year-old skeleton was excavated in the Bahariya Oasis in But the remains were destroyed along with other Egyptian discoveries when Munich was bombed in Tragically the only remnants of the dinosaur discovery were Dr Stromer's notes, illustrations of the bones and black and white photographs of the skeletons. But Dr Stromer's records have now been reanalysed in a new study. Advertisement Read more on the Irish Sun Maximilian Kellermann, the study's first author said: 'What we saw in the historical images surprised us all. "The Egyptian dinosaur fossil depicted there differs significantly from more recent Carcharodontosaurus found in Morocco.'
The Sun
16-05-2025
- Science
- The Sun
New species of dog-sized killer dinosaur that roamed Earth 220m years ago discovered – but its name isn't too catchy
A NEW dog-sized dinosaur species that roamed the Earth 220 million years ago has been discovered. The Maleriraptor kuttyi is thought to be one of the earliest killer dinosaurs in history. 2 2 The now-extinct dinosaur is believed to have lived some 220 million years ago - during the Triassic period. The small but mighty beast could grow to a height of 3.2 feet and a length of 6.5 feet - about the size of a large-breed dog such as a Great Dane. And the creature was one of the earliest known carnivorous dinosaurs, along with the rest of the Herrerasauria family. Dr. Martín Ezcurra from the Argentina's Natural Science museum said: 'Herrerasaurs represent the oldest radiation of predatory dinosaurs.' The fossilised dinosaur bones were discovered more than in Telangana, India forty years ago. But only now have scientists identified exactly what species these bones belonged to. Herrerasauria fossils were previously found in South and North America. But the new bombshell discovery has proved that the creatures roamed far more of the Earth than previously thought. And the dinosaurs in India are believed to have outlived those elsewhere. Scientists believe this might be because India had a similar climate to South America during the Triassic period. This comes after a giant horned dinosaur species was unearthed in Egypt. The predatory dinosaur species, named Tameryraptor markgrafi, was originally discovered in 1914 by Ernst Stromer von Reichenbach who died in 1952. The 95million-year-old skeleton was excavated in the Bahariya Oasis in Egypt before it was stored in the Bavarian State Collection for Paleontology and Geology in Munich, Germany. But the remains were destroyed along with other Egyptian discoveries when Munich was bombed in World War Two. Tragically the only remnants of the dinosaur discovery were Dr Stromer's notes, illustrations of the bones and black and white photographs of the skeletons. But Dr Stromer's records have now been reanalysed in a new study. Maximilian Kellermann, the study's first author said: 'What we saw in the historical images surprised us all. "The Egyptian dinosaur fossil depicted there differs significantly from more recent Carcharodontosaurus found in Morocco.'
Hans India
15-05-2025
- Science
- Hans India
New Dinosaur Species Maleriraptor kuttyi Discovered in India Sheds Light on Triassic Evolution
A new species of dinosaur, Maleriraptor kuttyi, has been identified in the Upper Maleri Formation of south-central India, offering fresh insights into the early evolution of carnivorous dinosaurs. This remarkable discovery, described in a study published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, highlights the species' role in filling a temporal gap in the fossil record, bridging the South American herrerasaurids with their younger North American counterparts. Maleriraptor kuttyi lived during the Norian stage of the Triassic period, around 220 million years ago, challenging previous assumptions about the distribution of herrerasaurs. The Discovery of Maleriraptor kuttyi The fossilized remains of Maleriraptor kuttyi were found over 40 years ago in Pranhita-Godavari Valley, about 1 km south of Annaram village, India. This discovery is particularly significant as the Upper Maleri Formation represents a critical period in the early evolution of dinosaurs, just slightly younger than the first Carnian radiation of dinosaurs. The fossils offer evidence that herrerasaurs, a group of early predatory dinosaurs, managed to survive in Gondwana during the early Norian, a period marked by the extinction of rhynchosaurs, a group of herbivorous reptiles. The presence of herrerasaurs in India, but not South America during this period, may be linked to the paleoclimate of India, which had environmental conditions more similar to those in southern North America. This suggests that climatic factors may have played a role in the survival and distribution of different dinosaur species across the supercontinent of Pangaea. The Role of Herrerasaurians in Dinosaur Evolution Herrerasaurians represent some of the oldest predatory dinosaurs, and their discovery helps fill a significant gap in our understanding of dinosaur evolution. As Dr. Martín Ezcurra from the Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales notes, 'Herrerasaurs represent the oldest radiation of predatory dinosaurs.' These dinosaurs appeared in the fossil record around 228 million years ago and became extinct by the end of the Triassic period. Until recently, the fossil record of herrerasaurs was largely confined to the Ischigualasto Formation in northwestern Argentina and the Candelária sequence in southern Brazil. These regions contain fossils of bipedal carnivores that ranged in size from 1.2 to 6 meters (3.9 to 19.7 feet). The discovery of Maleriraptor kuttyi extends the range of herrerasaurs, providing new evidence that these early dinosaurs were more widespread than previously thought, surviving in Gondwana during a period when their South American counterparts were beginning to fade out. A Climatic Puzzle: Why India Hosts Early Herrerasaurians The presence of herrerasaurs in India during the early Norian provides a valuable clue into the paleoclimate of the time. While these dinosaurs were previously known to exist only in South America during the Triassic, the climatic conditions of India during the Norian may explain the species' survival. As the study highlights, global paleoclimatic reconstructions suggest that India during this period had mean annual temperatures and precipitation patterns more akin to those of southern North America than to South America. The similarity in climate between India and parts of North America during the early Norian could help explain why certain dinosaur species, like herrerasaurs, were able to thrive in India while disappearing from South America. This new information about the paleoclimate of India and its influence on prehistoric faunas could reshape how we think about the spread and survival of species in the ancient world. The Legacy of Herrerasaurians in Triassic Ecosystems The study of Maleriraptor kuttyi and other herrerasaurs reveals the intricate web of interactions that shaped the ecosystems of the Triassic period. These dinosaurs played a key role in the development of predatory dinosaur lineages, marking the earliest stages of carnivorous dinosaurs. Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis, in particular, was the most abundant species in the Ischigualasto Formation, thriving in the early Carnian period. The discovery of Maleriraptor kuttyi shows that these early predators were not confined to South America but were also present in Gondwana, suggesting that early dinosaur ecosystems were far more diverse and widespread than previously understood. This finding highlights the importance of the Upper Maleri Formation as a key site for understanding the early diversification of Triassic dinosaurs.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Shocking! A 240 million-year-old dragon's fossil discovered in China-- All about it
Image credit: Instagram/serpenillus In a stunning revelation, researchers have discovered a 240-million-year-old fossil of a Dinocephalosaurus orientalis . The ancient fossil was discovered in Guizhou province, Southern China. This astonishing discovery bridges the realm of science and mythology. This 16-foot-long creature's elongated, serpentine neck and limbs evoke the image of a legendary Chinese dragon, offering a rare glimpse into prehistoric marine life. Dinocephalosaurus orientalis (Terrible-headed reptile) has always intrigued scientists due to its differentiated anatomy. The latest specimen that was excavated revealed an extraordinarily long neck comprising 32 vertebrae, which is shocking because it is more than any known marine reptile. Researchers during their hypothesis concluded that its flexible neck allowed it to stealthily capture prey in crevices and narrow water spaces. With the collaborative efforts of scientists from China, Germany, Scotland, and the United States, this unique discovery has come to light, and it is the result of over a decade of international collaboration. Image credit: Instagram/planetdinosaurs by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The boy meets a dog on the street - no one expected what happened next. Women's Method Learn More Undo The fossil was being studied meticulously at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing, Part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Dr. Nick Fraser, of the National Museum of Scotland, described this rare find as 'one of the most remarkable' from the Triassic deposits of the Guizhou Province. This finding will enable scientists to learn about the evolution of the marine reptiles, which spans decades. This fossil find not only adds to the scientific world but also strikes a cultural chord with the Chinese people. Its dragon-like shape is consistent with Chinese mythology, where the dragon is highly significant as a symbol of power and wisdom. The intersection of Earth's early history and the cultures of storytelling humans is highlighted by the intersection of paleontology and culture. The Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Earth and Environmental Science has published the comprehensive findings of the research, which offer valuable new information about the diversity and adaptability of marine reptiles in the Triassic. As researchers continue to examine it, they expect this Triassic "dragon" to uncover even deeper secrets of life during the Triassic—a time of radical change and evolutionary experimentation following Earth's most severe mass extinction. The fossil is not just a likeness of an ancient animal but also a time capsule that might rewrite our understanding of early marine ecosystems. It is more than just a fossil; It tells a tale that spans over centuries and civilisations.
