Discovered a new extravagant dinosaur renamed Ubirajara jubatus: small as a rooster, with thick fur and thorns on the shoulders.
Small as a rooster, thick fur and long needles protruding over the shoulders. This is not a creature from the imagination of a science fiction writer, but one of the most extravagant dinosaurs discovered so far.
The new species was renamed “Ubirajara jubatus” , in the Tupi language "lord of the spear", referring to the elongated and rigid structures present on the shoulders. And it is the first time that this feature has been identified in a dinosaur fossil. This fascinating prehistoric creature lived around 110 million years ago, during the Cretaceous period in the area where Brazil is today.
The exceptional discovery, published in the scientific journal Cretaceous Research, took place in Germany, during the study of the finds preserved at Karlsruhe State Museum of Natural History. It was led by a team from the University of Portsmouth together with Professor Dino Frey of the German museum.
@Bob Nicholls /Paleocreations.com 2020
“Ubirajara jubatus” and the tendency to show off like peacocks and other birds
According to paleontologists, who had never seen anything like this, it is very likely that the prehistoric animal used its showy spines, made of keratin, on its shoulders to scare enemies and attract the attention of females.
This interesting discovery about the 'Ubirajara jubatus' species could shed light on how peacocks and other birds have inherited their ability to show off.
“Modern birds are famous for their elaborate plumage and displays to attract mates - the peacock's tail and male birds of paradise are textbook examples. - explains David Martill, paleontologist at the University of Portsmouth. - The characteristics of the Ubirajara jubatus species reveal that this tendency to show off is not just a peculiarity of the birds, but something they inherited from their dinosaur ancestors. ".
@Cretaceous Research
“We cannot prove the specimen to be a male, but given the disparity between male and female birds, it seems likely that the specimen was a male, and even young, which is surprising given that more complex exhibition skills are more typical of adult males. " adds Martill. "Given its appearance, we can imagine the dinosaur engaged in elaborate dances to showcase its display structures."
Furthermore, as the paleontologists who conducted the study explain, the thick fur of this extravagant dinosaur may have played a very important role in its survival.
Fonte: Cretaceous Research
