Rare North American dinosaur named for two-faced Roman god

Rare North American dinosaur named for two-faced Roman god
2023-06-10 19:31:14

Scientists have discovered a new species of early ornithopod dinosaur called Iani smithi in Utah, dating back to around 100 million years ago. The fossils provide insights into life during the middle of the Cretaceous Period and shed light on how some dinosaur lineages persisted despite changing climates.Iani smithi is a relative of rhabdodontomorphs, a type of ornithopod previously known mostly from European fossils. The well-preserved fossils, including a skull and limb bones, provide valuable information about a time in North America from which little is known about the continent's dinosaurs.This discovery helps researchers better understand how ornithopods evolved and adapted during the late Cretaceous and provides insights into navigating a changing climate.