Previously unknown ancient dinosaur discovered for the first time in Germany

An international team of researchers has discovered a previously unknown species of prehistoric dinosaur in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. According to the researchers, the species called Stenokranio boldi lived almost 300 million years ago. even before the dinosaurs.

According to the Journal of Paleontology, S. boldi was one of the largest predators during its lifetime in the region where it was discovered. The animal was estimated to be one and a half meters long.

The habitat at the time should be represented as a tropical river and lake landscape, the Berlin Natural History Museum, which was involved in the study, announced. “In the area of ​​today’s Remigiusberg, a large river flowed into a lake about 70 kilometers long.” The animals lived on the banks and in the delta of the river.

The fossils were found in 2013 and 2018 – but have now been scientifically described for the first time and therefore officially proven.

“On the palate, Stenocranio had three pairs of large, backward-curved canine teeth that were used to hold slippery prey such as fish.”, the museum explained. The prey was then probably swallowed more or less completely. In terms of body shape and lifestyle, the fish and the carnivore occupy a similar ecological niche as the later crocodiles.

The term ancient dinosaur has nothing to do with dinosaurs, as has been said. It is a popular collective name for the four-legged friends of ancient times. (saw/sda/dpa)