The largest predatory dinosaur in Europe was discovered by a British fossil hunter

Scientists said Thursday that the giant crocodile-faced dinosaur, discovered by one of Britain’s top fossil hunters on the White Island, is the largest predator ever hunted in Europe.

Most of the bones of a bipedal Spinosaurus were discovered by the late local archaeologist Nick Chase, who devoted his life to combing the shores of an island off the southern coast of England in search of dinosaur remains.

In a study published in the journal, they said researchers at the University of Southampton used some of the bones found to identify what is known as “white rock spinoride”. Berge†

“It is a large animal measuring 10 meters (33 feet) in length and can be explored from some dimensions, and arguably the largest predatory dinosaur found in Europe,” said Ph.D. The student who led the investigation.

Parker admitted it would have been nice to have more bones, telling AFP that “the numbers don’t lie – it’s much larger than the largest known model ever discovered in Europe”.

Thomas Richard Holts, a University of Maryland archaeologist who was not involved in the study, admitted that the new find “looks bigger” than the only large fossil found in Portugal.

Matt Lamanna, a dinosaur archaeologist at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in the US, praised the lack of bones as “the best complete study of the element,” but said the scales are hard to compare.

For example, the tallest known dinosaur, such as Spinosaurus, Spinosaurus, Tyrannosaurus Rex or Giganodosaurus, “but it’s not heavy,” he said — “the latter is very popular thanks to the new ‘Jurassic World’ movie.”

Why the long face?

The white-rock spinosaurid – which researchers hope to systematically call the new species – belongs to the Early Cretaceous period and is estimated to be about 125 million years old.

It’s the smallest Spinosaurus found in Britain, Parker said, two or three million years younger than the known Paronyx.

Spinosorites are named for their long heads. Their faces look more like a crocodile than the square skull of a Tyrannosaurus Rex.

The leading theory to explain this trait is that they hunt both in water and on land.

“They’re like storks and herons, going around and taking fish from the surface,” Parker said.

The white rock spinosaurus is found in the coastal pond environment and dinosaur fossils are commonly found.

“It is useful to paint a picture of what animals were living through at the time, which is a very unknown part of the Old English tradition,” Parker added.

The team has already identified two new species of spinosaurus on the Isle of Wight, including serotonin infusions known as “hell herons.”

“This new animal confirms our previous argument that it was published last year – before the emergence and widespread spread of spinosaurus in Western Europe,” said Darren Nisch, co-author of the study.

The super power of the complex

Ancient researchers paid tribute to Chase, who always donated the bones he found to museums.

“Most of these amazing fossils were discovered by Nick Chase, one of Britain’s most talented dinosaur hunters, who died tragically shortly before the government epidemic,” said study co-author Jeremy Lockwood. Studsmouth University student.

Parker said Chase’s “strange ability to find bones” wasn’t the only one affecting the discipline of professional archaeologists.

He added that the discovery “shows that collectors have a great role in modern archaeology and that their generosity advances science.”

If there were fossil hunters looking to conquer where Chase left off, ancient researchers would welcome more Spinoza’s rocky white bones.

“Hopefully, one of the bystanders will take a few pieces and donate,” Parker said.

© 2022 AFP