– Paleontologists have discovered the most complete dinosaur fossil found in the UK in over 100 years on the Isle of Wight.
– The dinosaur, named Comptonatus chasei, lived around 125 million years ago and was a large, herbivorous iguanodontian that reached over a tonne in weight.
– The 149 bone specimen is nearly a complete skeleton and offers insight into dinosaur evolution and ecosystems in the Late Cretaceous period.
– C. chasei differs from closely related dinosaurs in its skull shape, teeth and lower jaw structure.
– The discovery took several years to fully analyse and prepare from its initial discovery in 2013 by fossil hunter Nick Chase.
– The unusually large pubic hip bone may indicate different locomotion or help support body weight/stomach contents.
– The find shows the Isle of Wight had one of the most diverse dinosaur faunas and ecosystems during that time period.
– It provides more evidence of rapid evolution among iguanodontian dinosaurs 125 million years ago.
Source: Pa Media
