The dinosaur was an accomplished predator, researchers say.
Discovered during of a recent study in Argentina, giant dinosaur fossils belong to «armless» The dinosaur, which scientists called Guemesia ochoai, reports the Chronicle.info with reference to TSN.
Despite the incredibly tiny upper limbs, which were practically invisible and did not perform any function, the dinosaur was an experienced predator.
The new species is a close relative of the ancestors of the dinosaurs known as abelisaurids, whose forelimbs were underdeveloped and even smaller than those of a Tyrannosaurus rex. Abelisaurids belonged to the order of theropods, reaching a height of 4 to 9 meters. These creatures could devour such huge dinosaurs as titanosaurs, and again without the help of front legs.
G. ochoai compensated for a small drawback with a powerful head and jaws. It lived in Patagonia and on the ancient southern supercontinent of Gondwana more than 70 million years ago.
As scientists note, this dinosaur is very unusual for its kind. It has several key characteristics that suggest it is a new species that could provide new information about a region of the world that scientists don't know much about.