New Dinosaur Species with Powerful Hands Discovered in Mongolia

Speedy Summary

• Paleontologists identified a new dinosaur species,shri rapax,from a nearly complete skeleton found in Mongolia during the 2000s.
• The species dates back to the Campanian age of the cretaceous period, approximately 75-72 million years ago.
• Shri rapax is classified as part of Dromaeosauridae, bird-like theropod dinosaurs closely related to birds.
• This is the second species in its genus; the first, Shri devi, was described in 2021.
• The specimen was illegally poached before 2010 and passed through private collections in Japan and England before being acquired by French company Eldonia.
• Researchers tentatively linked its origin to Ukhaa Tolgod within Mongolia’s Djadokhta Formation despite uncertainty about its exact locality.
• Distinctive features include exceptionally robust hands, significantly sturdier than other dromaeosaurids from similar formations. These adaptations suggest ability to hunt larger or more resilient prey compared to relatives like Velociraptor mongoliensis.

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Indian Opinion Analysis

The finding of Shri rapax highlights continued advancements in understanding dinosaurs closely related to modern birds-shedding light on evolutionary links that could refine our knowledge of prehistoric ecosystems globally. while India was not directly involved, such findings resonate with paleontological interests across South Asia as these regions share proximity and geological histories conducive to uncovering fossils.

Notably troubling is how specimens were initially poached and circulated among private collections before formal research commenced-a challenge affecting global efforts in scientific integrity regarding heritage materials. strengthened international collaboration for stricter regulations may be critical moving forward.

India can take cues for conservation governance around fossil resources amidst rich Paleogene sites domestically while contributing expertise for ethical international research networks fostering clarity over specimen lineage protection globally.