In the Asian region of Mongolia , a perfectly good skeleton of a hitherto unknown dinosaur has been found. This species has such a peculiar fusion of characteristics that it has formed a new class of semi-aquatic predator related to the Velociraptor. The name of this strange specimen is Halszkaraptor escuilliei and it is approximately 75 million years old.
The finding has been made possible thanks to the help of a 3-D synchrotron , a particle accelerator that can observe molecular structures as if it were a powerful microscope. The specimen was thus reconstructed in three dimensions by multi-resolution X-ray microtomography.
“This technique is currently the most powerful and sensitive method for imaging internal detail without damaging priceless fossils. The European Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (ESRF) has become the world leader in high-quality X-ray imaging of such precious specimens. “says one of the researchers, Paul Tafforeau .
The study has allowed two things: the description of a new genus and species of dinosaur, with a great similarity to a bird that lived during the Campanian stage of the Cretaceous in Mongolia, and the demonstration of a totally different lifestyle for raptor dinosaurs. .
Theropods encompassed all carnivorous dinosaurs . During 160 million years of the Mesozoic Era, these became the dominant predators on all continents. However, no evidence of its supremacy had ever been found in aquatic environments. The fossil, Halszkaraptor escuilliei, nicknamed ” Halszka ” shows that some bird-like dinosaurs adopted a semi-aquatic lifestyle.
An unheard of dinosaur
This species is unique in many ways, as it does not belong to any of the groups of predators known so far . It has a series of characteristics that for the most part are not found among other dinosaurs, but they do coincide with groups of reptiles and birds of aquatic or semi-aquatic ecologies.
ESRF data revealed that the fossil represents a new genus and species of amphibian dinosaur that walked on two legs on land , with postural adaptations similar to those of ducks, but used its forelimbs as flippers to maneuver in water (like penguins and other waterfowl), relying on its long neck for foraging and ambushing.
At first glance, Halszka closely resembles the figure of a current swan. However, it has other peculiarities such as the sickle-shaped claws on its feet, such as those of the Velociraptor .
“The first time I examined the specimen, I even questioned whether it was a genuine fossil. This unexpected mix of traits makes it difficult to place Halszka within traditional classifications, “says researcher Andrea Cau .
And so far, the Halszkaraptor escuilliei is the specimen for which the greatest number of experiments have been carried out on a single fossil.
