Fossil fragments found in the Spanish town of Cinctorres led to the identification of a new species of spinosaurid dinosaur. This species, named Protathlitis cinctorrensis, was a fish-eating carnivore about 10-11 meters long.
Dinosaurs are magnificent creatures that lived and ruled the world millions of years ago. To explore the lost world of these creatures, paleontologists try to identify new species by examining fossil remains. And now let us introduce you to Protathlitis cinctorrensis, a new spinosaurid species.
Spinosaurids were large, carnivorous dinosaurs that walked on two legs. Dinosaurs in this group are known to eat fish and live near water. However, it is not known for certain whether they can swim. Spinosaurids originated in Europe and later It is thought to have spread to Africa and Asia..
How was Protathlitis cinctorrensis discovered?
Fossils of Protathlitis cinctorrensis were found in 2011 in the Arcillas de Morella Formation in eastern Spain. This formation dates back to the Early Cretaceous (about 127-126 million years ago) belongs to. Among the fossil fragments found were a right jawbone, a tooth, and five tail vertebrae. Based on these remains, researchers estimate that the dinosaur was 10-11 meters long.
By comparing them with other known spinosaurid specimens, the researchers concluded that the fossils were a new species as well as a new spinosaurid genus. Protathlitis cinctorrensis is named after the Greek “champion” and from the town of Cinctorres, where the fossils are found. The naming of this species also refers to the football club Villarreal CF, which won the Europa League in 2021.
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Discovery of Protathlitis cinctorrensis after dental fossils, the first evidence of the existence of spinosaurids in Spain considered an important finding. The discovery also provides new information about the origin and diversification of spinosaurids. The research results were published in the journal Scientific Reports.
Source :
https://interestingengineering.com/science/new-dinosaur-species-discovered-spain