Smallest Dinosaur
A US-led team from the National Geological Institute have discovered the world’s smallest dinosaur while searching the Hombresina Peninsula in Argentina, an area well known for unearthing new species. This recent finding has been dubbed Nanosaurus as, incredibly, up to 10,000 can fit onto a single pinhead.
Initially overlooked by scientists, who were not equipped to see such small animals, it became apparent when high-power microscopes were brought in to assist the researchers during the month-long dig.
Professor Vince Bukowski from the Institute commented, “this is a huge find in terms of its importance that will shake palaeontology during the coming years”.
“Before, we have simply never imagined that dinosaurs were so small, and work can now begin on piecing together the lives of these tiny monsters”.
Bukowski suspects Nanosaurus to be a meat-eater which, because they were discovered in a desiccated peat bog, probably died while stalking prey through the thick swamp at the time. He also speculates they could have been pack hunters, given that so many were found in one location.
“Imagine the sight of over 5,000 hungry Nanosaurs rushing towards you”, he said. “It’s enough to send a chill through the biggest of hearts”.
Only a few years ago, Argentinosaurus huinculensis, the largest dinosaur ever found, was discovered not far from the Nanosaurus site. Veteran Smithsonian Professor Donald Truman urged caution with the new find, “we’ve seen people rush out before and make wild claims about the biggest and the smallest, let’s just see what happens after the laboratory analysis”.
His fears came after a local University argued that the dinosaurs were no more impressive than ‘a collection of bored amoeba’. The debate will certainly continue.
Main photo: David Monniaux, www.di.ens.fr/~monniaux
Initially overlooked by scientists, who were not equipped to see such small animals, it became apparent when high-power microscopes were brought in to assist the researchers during the month-long dig.
Professor Vince Bukowski from the Institute commented, “this is a huge find in terms of its importance that will shake palaeontology during the coming years”.
“Before, we have simply never imagined that dinosaurs were so small, and work can now begin on piecing together the lives of these tiny monsters”.
Bukowski suspects Nanosaurus to be a meat-eater which, because they were discovered in a desiccated peat bog, probably died while stalking prey through the thick swamp at the time. He also speculates they could have been pack hunters, given that so many were found in one location. “Imagine the sight of over 5,000 hungry Nanosaurs rushing towards you”, he said. “It’s enough to send a chill through the biggest of hearts”.
Only a few years ago, Argentinosaurus huinculensis, the largest dinosaur ever found, was discovered not far from the Nanosaurus site. Veteran Smithsonian Professor Donald Truman urged caution with the new find, “we’ve seen people rush out before and make wild claims about the biggest and the smallest, let’s just see what happens after the laboratory analysis”.
His fears came after a local University argued that the dinosaurs were no more impressive than ‘a collection of bored amoeba’. The debate will certainly continue.
Main photo: David Monniaux, www.di.ens.fr/~monniaux
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