New giant predatory dinosaur species found in Thailand

OCT. 9, 2019 / 4:24 PM
By Brooks Hays

Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Paleontologists have discovered a new genus and species of dinosaur. The remains of the giant predatory dinosaur, named Siamraptor suwati, were recovered from the Khok Kruat Formation, an Early Cretaceous rock formation in northeastern Thailand.

The newly named species was an allosauroid theropod, a widespread group of apex predators that were active during the Middle Jurassic to Late Cretaceous periods.

For the study, scientists surveyed fossils representing the skull, backbone, limbs and hips of at least four individual dinosaurs. By comparing the dinosaur's anatomical structures to those of other allosauroids, scientists determined that the fossils warranted a new genus and species classification.

Phylogenetic analysis showed Siamraptor suwati was a basal member of a group of allosauroids called carcharodontosaurs, which means the species represents an early evolutionary split from the genus.

More:
https://www.upi.com/Science_News/2019/10/09/New-giant-predatory-dinosaur-species-found-in-Thailand/1811570648531/?sl=1&ur3=1