New species of crested dinosaur identified in Mexico

Reuters Videos
3 年前

A new species of dinosaur has been identified by a team of paleontologists in Mexico.

The National Institute of Anthropology and History - or INAH- said they found its 72-million-year-old fossilized remains almost a decade ago.

The new species has been named Tlatolophus galorum.

It was identified as a crested dinosaur after 80% of its skull was recovered.

Felisa Aguilar is an investigator from INAH:

"This new dinosaur, the Tlatolophus galorum, belongs to a group of dinosaurs that are also known for their duck beaks, because it is the shape of a duck's beak. These animals were large herbivores. In fact, it is believed these dinosaurs did not have the body to protect themselves from their predators. But there are other strategies that they used to defend themselves, their speed and sense of smell."

The investigation began in 2013 with the discovery of an articulated tail in the north central Mexican state of Coahuila.

The scientists were able to find and analyze other bone fragments from the front part of the dinosaur's body, including the crest of the dinosaur, which was about 4 feet long.