Paleontologists at the National Center for Science and Technology Research in Buenos Aires, Argentina, have discovered fossils of a new species of near-bird dinosaur known as "Overoraptor chimentoi" in Patagonia.
According to Argentine portal Infobae, "Overoraptor chimentoi" lived in modern Argentina during the Cretaceous period about 90 million years ago. This dinosaur is about 1.3 meters long and has a graceful body shape. The forelimbs are like wings and are very slender and graceful; the hind limbs are very suitable for running, with very sharp crescent-shaped claws. The study was published in the journal Natural Sciences.
Argentine scientists discover a new species © of dinosaur with winged forelimbs Photo : MOTTA ET AL
Scientists say the "Overoraptor chimentoi" discovered is closely linked to Rahonavis. The birdosaur belongs to the monotypic chiropod family, which lived in the Late Cretaceous period in modern Madagascar and resembled microraptor.
Paleontologist Novas said:
"Both species have limbs that resemble carnivorous dinosaurs, but are also similar to the wings of birds, meaning they have an evolutionary process that did not occur with Unenlagia and Velociraptor."
Novas notes:
"According to anatomical characteristics, the wings of the wedgeonosaurus were able to fold their wings automatically, which is a typical feature of birds. These similarities suggest that 'Overoraptor chimentoi' and "Birdosaurus" can form a new near-bird subject. Because these two dinosaurs are closer to birds than all known dinosaurs. ”