Paleontologists have described a new species of giant dinosaur
Scientists have described a new species of giant bird-like dinosaur found in China’s Henan province. The dinosaur, dubbed Beibeilong, lived about 90 million years ago during the Cretaceous period.
The details of the study, researchers from the University of calgary can be found in Nature Communications.
When the badass giant chickens ruled the earth.
(Beibeilong sinensis by Zhao Chuang) #dinosaurs #dinosaur #JurassicWorld #jurassicpark pic.twitter.com/QFKV8MF75z
— Sanjurassic (@Sanjurassic86) may 9, 2017
For the first time scientists have discovered large fossilized eggs in China in the early 1990-ies, but now only experts could properly examine the samples and learn that they belong to new species of dinosaurs Beibeilong sinensis. Eggs reach 45 centimetres in length and weigh about five kilograms. It is noted that this is one of the largest ever discovered dinosaur eggs.
Lots of buzz about Beibeilong (https://t.co/k9XJ98p2ec) & the “biggest dinosaur eggs.” Really bigger than an elephant bird egg? @FieldMuseum pic.twitter.com/deJfXe10JZ
— WitmerLab (@WitmerLab) may 9, 2017
Eggs were laid in the ring, which was part of a nest with a diameter of approximately 2-3 meters. Scientists believe that the nest could fit at least two dozen eggs.
“For many years we have puzzled over the mystery of what the dinosaur might lay such a large egg. As previously in Henan were discovered fossils of big tyrannosaurs, some experts thought that the eggs belong to them,” — said study author Darla Zelenitsky.
Having studied the bones of the embryo, the deceased at the time of hatching from eggs, the scientists came to the conclusion that they’re laid by a new kind of oviraptorosaurs — feathered dinosaur with wings and a beak. Although the bones of an adult dinosaur could not be found, probably, its growth reached eight meters, and weighs three tons. A new kind of oviraptorosaur is the largest known dinosaur to hatch eggs with their kids.