The fancy dinosaur with fantastic shoulder decoration was the peacock of Cretaceous


Impressions are gained in a fluid, global, diffused way.

Impressions of the artist Ubirajara Jubatas.
Example: Bob Nichols / Paleocreation.com 2020

A re-analysis of the old fossil reveals the dinosaur’s features, including its former long, fur-like enjoyment and a pair of stiff structures protruding from its shoulders. Scientists say that this elaborate decoration was used for displays, including an early version of the peacock.

Introduction Ubirajara Jubatas, A Theropod dinosaur that lived in the supercontinent Gondwana 110 million years ago. In addition to branding impressive believers with his back, Ubirajara Features two pairs of straw-like structures that probably protrude from its shoulders. This feature has never been seen before in non-avian dinosaurs and is reminiscent of long feathered feathers. Standard Bird of-Paradise.

That Ubirajara Using these elaborate structures for demonstration is a different possibility, according to the authors of a new study published today in the Cretaceous Research Journal. Chicken-sized Ubirajara The decoration may have shone to attract a mate, intimidate male competitors, or intimidate potential predators.

Ubirajara Jubatas

Ubirajara Jubatas
Example: ન Bob Nichols / paleocreation.com 2020

The species of the specimen could not be determined, but this humble performance suggests a male, the difference being observed in modern male and female birds. Modern birds and ancient Theopods have a common ancestor, and this discovery suggests that the whole Moring thing is something that two groups inherited from previous dinosaur relatives. Or they acquired the same strategy independently – it’s hard to know.

The partial skeleton was found many decades ago in the Creto formation of northeastern Brazil, and was preserved in two slabs of limestone, which, when joined, “aligned perfectly with each other,” the authors wrote. The specimen eventually made its way to Germany, where it is housed in the State Museum of Natural History in Karlsruhe. Recently, a team of paleontologists decided to take another look at the remains with a high-resolution digital X-ray machine, revealing previously unseen features.

Despite the imperfections of the fossils, researchers were able to find well-preserved filamentous structures inside the limestone. Long, flat and stiff fibers were found to be made of keratin, the same material that makes up hair, feathers and nails. These four fibrous constructions will normally be entered UbirajaraHis body so as not to impede his agility, and they will probably only be deployed when needed, according to the study.

“Ribbon-like designs are unlike anything we’ve seen before. They are wide and flat which strengthens the potential structures from the ridge running along their length, ”he said. University of Portsmouth paleontologist Robert Smith, the first author of the paper, in an email. “Same-Shaped filaments are known in other dinosaurs, but nothing as large as the size of an animal. “

Said Smith Ubirajara Thropod is the initial branch on the Evolutionary Tree that has such features.

“till now, Extended display The feathers were thought to be confined to dinosaurs that had already developed a complex, Bird-“Like feathers,” he added.

Paleontologists also documented the long, thick mane Of Fur-like fibers, according to the authors, Ubirajara Control the believer with the muscles that run along his back, like a dog’s raised hackles.

“Believe me,” Smith wrote in her email. “We believe that these monofilaments originated from follicles which may have given dinosaurs some ability to increase and decrease them.”

Said Smith Ubirajara Lived in a semi-arid climate that bordered the ancient sea, and It probably feeds small reptiles and amphibians.

Ubirajara It is also important to note that it is the first non-avian dinosaur discovered in the Creto formation of Brazil. Speaking of the name, “Ubirajara” means “lord of spears” in the indigenous Tupi language and “Jubatus” in Latin means “mended” or “crested”.

Discoveries like these, in which paleontologists are able to study the external structures of animals, are radically changing our perceptions of dinosaurs and what they looked like. At the same time, this type of research can also gain new insights into their possible behaviors. For no Ubirajara, I am imagining this little companion orbiting around its four filamentous structures held high by the dinosaur while captivating dancing for women.

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