New Species Of Dinosaur With Odd Sail-Like Structure On Its Back Discovered In Spain

MessageToEagle.com – A ‘sail-backed’ dinosaur species named Morelladon beltrani, inhabited the Iberian landmass approximately 125 million years ago.

Morelladon is a medium-sized styracosternan ornithopod of around 6 meters long and 2.5 meters high, similar in body length and proportions to its relative Mantellisaurus atherfieldensis.

In a new study based on a partial skeleton mainly composed of dorsal and sacral vertebrae and pelvic bones, scientists describe this exotic animal from Cretaceous Period, and their research is published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE. 

The most conspicuous feature of this new, relatively gracile ornithopod is the presence of tall neural spines on dorsal vertebrae, which the authors suggest was possibly a ‘sail’ used for thermoregulation, or as a storage place for fat to be used during periods of low food supply.

The discovery of Morelladon beltrani in the same area and time period with its relatives Iguanodon bernissartensis and Mantellisaurus atherfieldensismay indicate a particularly diverse medium-large bodied styracosternan assemblage in the eastern Iberian landmass during the late Barremian, ~125 million years ago.

“We knew the dinosaur fauna from Morella was similar to those of other contemporary European sites. However, this discovery shows an interesting rise of the iguanodontoid diversity in southern Europe ~125 million years ago,” co-author Dr. Escaso added.

More images in the paper – here

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Research paper