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Recently, a dinosaur was discovered!We are accustomed to finding ruins or other items in the study of paleontology, but dinosaurs? This time, we’re discussing the easy-to-name dinosaur Enigmacursor mollyborthwickae, which was discovered in the Colorado Morrison Formation and examined by two paleontologists from the Natural History Museum in London, Paul Barrett and Susannah Maidment.
These kinds of discoveries are also very significant since, in this instance, learning more about the variety of species that coexisted during the Late Jurassic period is essential. In this example, the herbivorous dinosaur is connected to the Chinese Yandusaurus. Let’s learn more about this discovery, then!
A dinosaur whose size is similar to a dog
When we think of dinosaurs, we usually picture these enormous animals, and the T-Rex or the Brachiosaurus are the first dinosaurs that spring to mind. This isn’t true for all dinosaurs, though, as the recently discovered species Enigmacursor mollyborthwickae demonstrates. It lived in the Late Jurassic period, some 150 million years ago, but that isn’t the most amazing fact—it was as big as a labrador retriever! Can you picture it?
The place of the discovery
The skeleton of the Enigmacursor mollyborthwickae was discovered at the Morrison Formation in Colorado, USA. Because of its dinosaur fossils from the Age of Dinosaurs, this location is well-known.
The Enigmacursor mollyborthwickae was discovered nearly whole, with the exception of the skull, which was unexpected. Why was this unexpected? Since little fossils are typically found incomplete, this latest discovery is particularly unusual. Since it is uncommon to find little fossils in such exceptional form, the fact that it was so well preserved makes it extremely significant to the scientific community.
More details about the Enigmacursor mollyborthwickae
This herbivorous animal had a light body, long hind legs for racing or walking, and a tail for balance. Its physique was made to move quickly, most likely to get away from larger predators. Additionally, this dinosaur’s lengthy tail serves a purpose—it keeps it balanced while it moves at such a high speed.
Although we don’t know much about the Enigmacursor mollyborthwickae—for instance, how it died or what its skull looked like—the information that has been found helps us understand its behavior and its place in the ecology at the time.
What about the name?
The name of this dinosaur, Enigmacursor mollyborthwickae, is easy to recall. Who could forget a name like that? Enigmacursor, which means “mysterious runner” in Latin, really has a logical connotation. This makes perfect sense given what we’ve just discussed about its body and the fact that we still don’t know everything about it. Mollyborthwickae then pays tribute to Molly Borthwick, who sent the fossil to the Natural History Museum of London, where it is now being investigated and shown.
Importance of this discovery
Scientists can gain a better understanding of the biological diversity from millions of years ago because to this discovery. Small dinosaurs are also an important component of past ecosystems, despite the fact that we are best familiar with the largest ones.
Furthermore, the Chinese Yandusaurus hongheensis and the Enigmacursor mollyborthwickae are linked, meaning that the two species coexist in various locations across the globe.
Every dinosaur discovery is exciting, and it is crucial for paleontologists and the study of the Jurassic period that we learn about the characteristics or way of life of these species. We have the opportunity to get closer to things because of museums like London’s Natural History Museum. Are you familiar with dinosaurs? Of course, at museums!
