Newly discovered dinosaur foot is best-preserved theropod fossil in Brazil
July 2, 2019 - Groundbreaking fossil discovery in the southern state of Paraná, Brazil, reveal new dinosaur species that could balance on single toes.
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Paleontologists confirmed a new dinosaur species at a dig site in the southern state of Paraná, Brazil.
They uncovered a six-inch foot of the carnivorous dinosaur Vespersaurus paranaensis, suspected to have lived during the Cretaceous period roughly 90 million years ago.
Once standing 2.5 feet tall and measuring roughly 5 feet long, the bipedal species is considered to be a small, desert-dwelling dinosaur.
The feet of the species are what paleontologists believe to be the most fascinating.
The three functioning toes of V. paranaensis qualify the species as a theropod, like T. rex. However, it placed all of its weight on its middle toes like a monodactyl, or one-toed, animal.
The remaining two razor-sharp toes on each foot were likely used for hunting prey, possibly pterosaurs and lizards.
With 40% of the dinosaur’s skeleton complete, it’s become the best-preserved fossil of any theropod found in Brazil to date.
