Scientists have discovered a new species of two-clawed dinosaur, Duonychus tsogtbaatari, in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert. The medium-sized therizinosaur lived around 100 million years ago and was unique among its group due to its long, curved claws. Researchers believe the species’ grasping abilities would have made it efficient at collecting vegetation.
Duonychus tsogtbaatari was named after the Mongolian region where it was found. The specimen is significant not only because of its rare features but also due to the valuable information it provides about therizinosaurus, a group of herbivorous or omnivorous theropod dinosaurs that lived during the Cretaceous Period.
The discovery sheds light on the diversity of therizinosaur fossils in Mongolia, which is considered the largest dinosaur fossil reservoir in the world. The study’s findings have contributed to our understanding of these ancient creatures and their unique characteristics.
Duonychus tsogtbaatari’s claws were exceptionally large compared to its underlying bone, suggesting that they played multiple roles, including grasping, display, and defense. Its two-fingered hands are distinct from those found in other tyrannosaurids, such as Tyrannosaurus rex. The discovery has provided new insights into the evolution of these fascinating creatures.
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Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn7v3eln56no