An international team of paleontologists has discovered a new species and genus of dinosaur in the depths of the Gobi Desert, resembling a cross between a toothy penguin and a goose. The scientists stumbled upon nearly complete skeleton remains of this previously unknown non-avian dinosaur in southern Mongolia, within the Barun Goyot geological formation. The fossil included a skull, spine, one forelimb, and two hind limbs. This prehistoric reptile lived around 71 million years ago during the late Cretaceous period (145-66 million years ago). The researchers named it Natovenator polydontus, which translates to “hunter with many teeth that swims.”
What the paleontologists learned is that Natovenator bore a striking resemblance to modern diving birds, such as loons and penguins, as reported by Newsweek. According to Yong-Nam Lee, the team leader and a professor at Seoul National University, the fossil was fragile yet remarkably well-preserved. The dinosaur had a skull filled with tiny teeth and an exceptionally long neck. The shape of its ribcage and the curved ribs pointing towards the tail suggest that this creature had a streamlined body, much like that of a penguin. Professor Lee noted that such a body shape in non-avian dinosaurs had not been documented before.
The ancient reptile was likely no taller than 40 centimeters. Professor Lee mentioned that only ten percent of the small specimens from that period are preserved in such good condition. Artistic visualizations depict the diving dinosaur with a goose-like body and a beak full of small teeth. Paleontologists believe it lived in shallow waters and fed on small fish. Fish-eating animals typically have small, pointed teeth that help them catch and hold onto their prey before swallowing it. To learn more about its diet, paleontologists analyzed some fossilized stomach contents of Natovenator polydontus. They also speculated that it might have consumed insects.
Despite its bird-like appearance, this creature was a reptile: a theropod—a carnivorous dinosaur that walked on two legs. This group includes many other well-known dinosaurs, such as T. Rex. However, Natovenator is the first identified theropod with a streamlined body shape, indicating that it was adept at walking on land and easily maneuvered through water. The fossil of this predator has provided paleontologists with valuable insights into how the dinosaur lived and hunted. Considering its body shape and similarities to modern diving birds, researchers concluded that it was a semi-aquatic predator.
As Professor Lee pointed out, the discovery of these semi-aquatic creatures indicates a significant diversity among dinosaurs and adds new knowledge about their lifestyles. Until now, it was believed that only avian dinosaurs adapted to aquatic environments. The discovery of this new species has shown that some non-avian dinosaurs also thrived in water.
In a report for the journal Communications Biology, the researchers stated that Natovenator polydontus lived in freshwater environments rather than near the sea. During the late Cretaceous period, the Barun Goyot formation was home to fish, crocodiles, turtles, and dinosaurs. The most famous fossil discovered there was the velociraptor. This dinosaur, known from various popular films like Jurassic Park, was a small creature the size of a turkey and lived on land around the same time as Natovenator.
The paleontological team believes that further research is needed to more accurately determine the diet and lifestyle of this new species and genus.