Scientists have discovered a dog-sized dinosaur that lived around 150 million years ago, running alongside giants like the Stegosaurus. The new species, Enigmacursor, is about 64 cm tall and 180 cm long, with much bigger feet and a tail that was likely longer than its body.
The discovery was made after researchers re-examined the dinosaur’s fossilized remains, which were initially classified as Nanosaurus but are now believed to be a distinct species. The team used scans of the skeleton and detailed photographs to study the original Nanosaurus specimen in the United States, finding that it lacked bones and had only impressions.
The Enigmacursor is significant because it sheds light on the evolutionary history of small dinosaurs becoming large and “bizarre” animals during the Late Jurassic period. The fossilized remains have provided valuable clues about its behavior, with the dinosaur likely using its front arms to shovel plants with its hands.
The discovery has also sparked renewed interest in smaller dinosaur fossils, which were often overlooked due to the focus on larger specimens. The Enigmacursor is set to become the first new dinosaur species to go on display at the Natural History Museum in London since 2014, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of these ancient creatures.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cglzy4zndp0o