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Brazil's Geological Service Announces Discovery of New Dinosaur Species

  • 25 Nov 2023

On 23rd Nov, Brazil's geological service revealed the identification of a novel dinosaur species, named Farlowichnus rapidus, characterized as a swift carnivorous creature from the early Cretaceous period.

Key Points

  • Farlowichnus rapidus’ Characteristics: The newly discovered species is a small carnivorous dinosaur, akin in size to a modern seriema bird, measuring approximately 60-90 cm (2-3 feet) tall, as disclosed by researchers.
  • Ancient Habitat and Speedy Behaviour: The geological service describes the dinosaur's habitat as ancient dunes during the early Cretaceous period.
  • The distinctive feature of Farlowichnus rapidus is its speed, inferred from the considerable distance between its footprints.
  • Cretaceous Period Context: The timeframe of Farlowichnus rapidus dates back to the early Cretaceous period, spanning from 100 to 145 million years ago.
  • Italian Priest's Initial Discovery: Italian priest and paleontologist Giuseppe Leonardi first unearthed the fossilized dinosaur "trackways" in the 1980s in what is now the city of Araraquara, Sao Paulo state.
  • Botucatu Formation and Geological Significance: The footprints were discovered in the Botucatu formation, characterized by rocks formed in an ancient dune desert.