This comment was written by Isle of Wight on 8 Oct 2023.
New Species of Dinosaur Discovered on Isle of Wight
Last Update: 9 October 2023
A new dinosaur species has been identified after an amateur fossil collector found a fossil on Britain’s Isle of Wight. The dinosaur, named Vectidromeus insularis, was provided to researchers by another amateur collector, Sean Smith. The researchers initially thought it might be a carnivorous dinosaur, but further examination revealed it to be an ornithischian herbivore, similar to Hypsilophodon foxii. The specimen is believed to be a juvenile, and it had distinct features such as the ilium, pubis, and ischium.
Through the contributions of local collectors, four different pieces of the dinosaur were found, including parts of the hips, legs, toes, and tail. Although many hypsilophodont fossils have been found on the Isle of Wight, the Vectidromeus insularis is not believed to be the same species. The researchers praised the work of the amateur collectors and encouraged more collaboration between scientists and the amateur community in paleontological discoveries.
The researchers stated that both Vectidromeus insularis and Hypsilophodon foxii are members of the hypsilophodont family and lived approximately 125 million years ago, alongside early tyrannosaurs, spinosaurs, and Iguanodon. The Vectidromeus was found in lower rock layers and is estimated to be two or three million years older than Hypsilophodon foxii.
This discovery adds to the growing number of new dinosaur species unearthed on the Isle of Wight, with seven new species being discovered in the last four years. Study co-author Dave Martill from the University of Portsmouth attributed these discoveries to the efforts of amateur collectors.
Through the contributions of local collectors, four different pieces of the dinosaur were found, including parts of the hips, legs, toes, and tail. Although many hypsilophodont fossils have been found on the Isle of Wight, the Vectidromeus insularis is not believed to be the same species. The researchers praised the work of the amateur collectors and encouraged more collaboration between scientists and the amateur community in paleontological discoveries.
The researchers stated that both Vectidromeus insularis and Hypsilophodon foxii are members of the hypsilophodont family and lived approximately 125 million years ago, alongside early tyrannosaurs, spinosaurs, and Iguanodon. The Vectidromeus was found in lower rock layers and is estimated to be two or three million years older than Hypsilophodon foxii.
This discovery adds to the growing number of new dinosaur species unearthed on the Isle of Wight, with seven new species being discovered in the last four years. Study co-author Dave Martill from the University of Portsmouth attributed these discoveries to the efforts of amateur collectors.
Source:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .