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About 110 million years ago, a strange creature lived along the coast of Brazil.
The chicken-like bipedal dinosaur likely hunted insects and small vertebrates during the Cretaceous.
But it is above all the appearance of the little crab that amazes the discoverers. It is similar to no other species found before.
– It has received a lot of attention on social media in recent days, paleontologist Lene Liebe Delsett tells NRK.
The study is published in the scientific journal Cretaceous Research.
“The lord of the spear”
The dinosaur fossil, which got its name. Ubirajara jubatus, was discovered by German and British scientists when they examined the Crato formation in Brazil.
This is a place known for its well kept secrets from the distant past.
And the name Ubirajara jubatus It is inspired by the Tupi people who belong to the South American country. In Norwegian it means “Lord of the Spear”, a fitting name that researchers must believe.
Because of the shoulders of the animal, about 50 centimeters long, several thin structures in the shape of a lance protrude. These should consist of keratin, a protein found in hair and nails. Researchers believe there may be long feathers.
“There are a lot of strange dinosaurs, but this one is different from all of them,” David Martill told The Guardian. He led the study and works at the University of Portsmouth in England.
Special findings
In addition to these “feather spears”, the little dinosaur also had a unique feathered mane on its back.
– This is the first feathered dinosaur found in this part of the world. Finds of this kind have been made mainly in Germany and China, says Lene Liebe Delsett.
The fossil is very well preserved, and you can see both the skeleton, parts of the intestine and other organs. This helps give experts a clue as to how the newly discovered dinosaur lived.
And according to the researchers, he must have been a little charming, who took advantage of his unique appearance.
Extravagant features
This is a very quirky feature for such a small animal. Why point out in a way that makes you more obvious to both prey and potential predators? Asks researcher Robert Smyth.
He concludes that the evolutionary success of many animals is not necessarily just about survival. You also have to look good to be able to pass your genes on to the next generation, he explains.
And these unique spring structures of Ubirajara jubatus your shoulders may have had such a function. Both to attract the manufacturer and to drive away the competition.
PALEONTOLOGIST: Line Liebe Delsett believes that the discovery of the new species can stand out as a highlight in 2020.
Photo: Karsten Sund / University of Oslo
The legacy may have continued
Many modern birds are known today for their elaborate plumage, such as the peacock. Perhaps this is a kind of legacy of the little Brazilian creature.
Ubirajara shows that showing off is not necessarily unique to birds, but something that birds have inherited from their ancestors, Smyth says.
Paleontologist Lene Liebe Delsett thinks the discovery in Brazil could be a highlight this year.
– Thousands of dinosaurs and extinct animals remain to be discovered, but this is probably one of those that will be remembered from 2020 on for its plumage.
Finding creates conflict
CONFLICT: Several have gotten involved on social media after the unique dinosaur was discovered. Now the authors behind the article have withdrawn it pending legal clarification.
Photo: Screenshot / Twitter
Due to an ongoing conflict, the journal in which the scientific article was written has chosen to withdraw it. They are doing so pending legal clarification.
It is about the fossil, which was found in Brazil, was taken out of the country without the participation of Brazilian scientists.
The remains are now in Germany.
According to Delsett he has The conflict has been a debate on social media lately. Many people are concerned that the fossil may need to be transported back to its country of origin, as it is part of Brazil’s natural history.
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