Palaeontologists in Argentina have unearthed a new herbivorous dinosaur, Chakisaurus nekul, dating back 90 million years to the Late Cretaceous period. Found in Patagonia’s Pueblo Blanco Natural Reserve, this bipedal creature stood 70 centimeters tall and boasted a uniquely curved tail, suggesting it was a swift runner. Named after the Tehuelche word for “old guanaco” and the Mapudungún term for “fast” or “agile,” Chakisaurus nekul exemplifies adaptation to evade predators. The discovery sheds light on dinosaur locomotion and highlights Patagonia’s significance in paleontological research. Supported by the National Geographic Society, the findings were recently published in Cretaceous Research.
New Herbivorous Dinosaur Chakisaurus nekul Discovered in Patagonia
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