A new species ofdinosaurhas been discovered in Thailand , where it once roamed during the Late Jurassic some 145 million to 163 million year ago . Minimocursor phunoiensis , as it has now been named , was name thanks to a unmistakably well - preserve skeleton unearthed in the Phu Kradung Formation at the Phu Noi locality in Northern Thailand .
“ The Phu Noi locality check a wealth of specimens and has cede an exceptionally articulated skeleton , which represent one of the best - preserved dinosaurs ever found in Southeast Asia , ” the writer of a study on the finding write .
“ This is the earliest book of neornithischians in Southeast Asia , and the first dinosaur taxon named from the Phu Kradung Formation of Thailand , ” they add .
Neornithischia is a various clade of mainly herbivorous dinosaur , which countsornithopods , marginocephalians , and various lowly bipedal dinosaurs among its fellow member .
The in style increase , M. phunoiensis , was first happen upon in 2012 and has been canvas in detail in the eld since , revealing a bit of unique characteristics . These include a jugal boss – bony lump on the jaw – and a protruding ridgeline on the pelvis .
The investigator believe that , as adults , these dinosaurs could have grown up to 2 time ( 6.6 understructure ) long , based on a 26 - centimetre ( 10 - inch ) femur that was found . This would make them around the same length as a lion or allama .
Their relatively little size , coupled with the fact that their leg appear to be adapted for libertine run , has earned them the nameMinimocursor , which understand as “ smallest base runner ” in Latin .
analytic thinking ofM. phunoiensis ’ teeth suggests it ate only plants , according toNew Scientist , who spoke to first generator Sita Manitkoon . At least 10 specimen were establish at the site at Phu Noi , take Manitkoon to believe it may have been a uncouth , far-flung fauna .
“ The discovery of this dinosaur provides Modern information about the biodiversity , biogeography , and other evolutionary history of neornithischians during the tardy Jurassic – former Cretaceous time interval , ” the research worker write .
“ Many of the remain bones are still under provision , include another skull . These unpublished specimens may provide a better discernment of the biota ofMinimocursor phunoiensis [ … ] in the time to come . ”
The study is published inDiversity .
[ H / T : New Scientist ]
