New Mexico Scientists Identify 1 New Dinosaur Species From 2005 Skull Find
Updated
Updated · Source New Mexico · Aug 5
New Mexico Scientists Identify 1 New Dinosaur Species From 2005 Skull Find
3 articles · Updated · Source New Mexico · Aug 5
Summary
Dinevenator robustus was identified from a skull fragment found in San Juan County in 2005 and announced Tuesday by the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science.
A thicker-than-expected skull section led Steven Jasinski to reject the initial dromaeosaur classification and conclude the fossil belonged to a new troodontid species.
Based on related species, the bird-like dinosaur likely measured 8 to 10 feet long and weighed 150 to 300 pounds, making it one of the larger known troodontids.
The name combines Diné and the Latin words for hunter and robust, while the find points to distinct Late Cretaceous dinosaur populations in New Mexico 70 to 75 million years ago.
Researchers said the De-na-zin Member of the Kirtland Formation has been understudied compared with Montana, Wyoming and Canada, suggesting northwestern New Mexico could yield more fossils from just before the mass extinction.