New dog-sized dinosaur identified after fossil mix-up
Share this @internewscast.com


() A new species of dinosaur the size of a Labrador retriever has been identified after scientists managed to untangle a fossil mix-up.

Incomplete fossil remains of the newly named enigmacursor mollyborthwickae were initially discovered in modern-day Colorado in 2021-22 but were misclassified by scientists as being the remains of a nanosaurus.

In a newly published report, scientists behind the discovery note that the small herbivore was about 3 feet long, with its tail making up about half of its length.

According to the museum, the name enigmacursor roughly translates to “puzzle runner” in Latin. Despite its small stature, this two-legged dinosaur had long legs, which allowed it to quickly move away from predators.

“We can speculate that Enigmacursor probably wasn’t that old, as it doesn’t seem to have many of its neural arches fused in place. However, the way the fossil was prepared before it was acquired by the Natural History Museum has obscured some of these details, so we can’t be certain,” Paul Barrett, co-lead author, said.

The remains, which date back to roughly 150 million years ago, are now on display at the Natural History Museum in London, marking the museum’s first new dinosaur on display since 2014. Unearthed from the Morrison Formation of the Western United States, the dinosaur is said to have roamed the same region as dinosaurs like the stegosaurus and diplodocus.

“While the Morrison Formation has been well-known for a long time, most of the focus has been on searching for the biggest and most impressive dinosaurs,” professor Susannah Maidment, co-lead author of the report, told the museum. “Engimacusor shows that there’s still plenty to discover in even this well-studied region and highlights just how important it is to not take historic assumptions about dinosaurs at face value.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Tragic ‘Dairy Incident’ in Colorado Claims 6 Lives: Fire Chief Reports

DENVER (KDVR) — Six people are dead after what is being described…

Missouri Offers Historic Bridge for Free

() Have you ever gone up to somebody and asked them if…

Health Officials Report California Resident Tests Positive for Plague

(KTXL) A resident of South Lake Tahoe, California, has tested positive for…

Governor Gavin Newsom Holds Decision-Making Power Over Menendez Brothers’ Release

A California parole board is set to consider this week if Erik…

Trump issues executive order targeting flag burning

President Trump intends to sign an executive order on Thursday aiming to…

Prosecutors Connect LA Deal to Smartmatic ‘Slush Fund’ in Ongoing Court Battle with Fox Over Voting Technology

MIAMI – Smartmatic, the company specializing in election technology and currently suing…

Bielema Identifies Leading Candidate for Illini’s Starting Kick Returner

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – The Illinois football team is looking strong for…

Sailor at Naval Base San Diego Found Guilty of Sharing Secrets with China

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A U.S. Navy sailor stationed at Naval Base…

Tuberville Criticizes NFL on Inclusion of Male Cheerleaders: ‘What Are You Thinking?’

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) on Tuesday criticized the NFL and the Minnesota…

Savannah Seeks Public Feedback on Budget Priorities for 2026

SAVANNAH, Ga. () — Savannah residents are being called upon to influence…

Democrats Concerned About New Data Indicating Voter Shift to GOP

(The Hill) — Democrats are sounding the alarm on new data showing…

Interior Assigns Border Agents to National Parks During Washington Control Shift

(The Hill) The Interior Department is enlisting federal border agents to assist…