New ‘apex predator’ dinosaur fossil unearthed with remains of crocodile prey still in mouth
New ‘megaraptor’ dinosaur discovered in South America
- A new 'apex predator' dinosaur species, Joaquinraptor casali, has been discovered in Argentina, with a crocodile bone found in its jaws.
- The species, part of the megaraptor family, was approximately seven metres long and weighed over 1,000kg.
- Joaquinraptor casali was a dominant predator in South America around 70 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period.
- Researchers uncovered a well-preserved, partially articulated skeleton, including much of its skull, limbs, ribs, and vertebrae, in Patagonia.
- The discovery provides further insight into megaraptoran dinosaurs, which were apex predators in South America, Asia, and Australia, despite previous limited fossil evidence.