Remains of a new species of small, winged carnivorous dinosaur that lived in Patagonia 90 million years ago have been discovered in Argentina, paleontologists announced on Thursday. They believe that this specimen could provide information on the evolution of birds.
The remains of the animal, which did not exceed a meter and a half long, were found on a site in the province of Rio Negro (center), some 1100 km south of Buenos Aires, according to the Disclosure Agency scientist from the National University of La Matanza.
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The new species has been named “Overoraptor chimentoi” and belongs to the group of carnivorous dinosaurs called “Paraves”, said Matias Motta, a researcher at the Argentine Museum of Natural Science (MACN).
The first finds date from 2013, then, during a second campaign, in 2018, other remains were found.
Elongated legs
“This animal had a very sharp claw on its index finger, which it surely used to attack its prey. He also had elongated legs, which indicates that it was a running animal, “said Motta, lead author of a study published in” The Science of Nature “.
According to Motta, “this animal belongs to a new group of dinosaurs in the southern hemisphere, it was surely fast, agile and like its congeners, it must have been carnivorous”.
Scientists were surprised to find that the legs of this specimen were similar to those of a raptor, while the upper part (legs) was robust and elongated, similar to that of modern birds, they said.
Until this discovery, all carnivorous dinosaurs with a birdlike appearance discovered in Patagonia belonged to the group of Unenlagia. They were agile and walked on their hind legs.
“Contrary to what we initially thought, the Overoraptor is not part of the Unenlagia family, but of another group that includes a species from Madagascar called Rahonavis,” said paleontologist Fernando Novas.
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