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A dinosaur the size of a chicken has been discovered that researchers say has features unlike anything seen before in the fossil record.
The ancient creature, known as Ubirajara jubatus, lived approximately 110 million years ago in modern-day Brazil, and it had a mane of long fur running down its back, with stiff ribbons projecting out and back from its shoulders. What is especially unusual about the beast is the presence of two very long, probably stiff ribbons on either side of its shoulders that were probably used for display, for mate attraction, inter-male rivalry or to frighten off foe, the study s lead author, University of Portsmouth paleobiology professor David Martill, said in a statement.
Life restoration of
Ubirajara jubatus. Image credit: Bob Nicholls, paleocreations.com.
The newly-discovered dinosaur species lived about 110 million years ago (Aptian stage of the Cretaceous period) in what is now Brazil.
Named
Ubirajara jubatus, the ancient animal was chicken-sized with a mane of long fur down its back.
It also had long, flat, stiff shoulder ribbons of keratin, each with a small sharp ridge running along the middle. Its arms were covered in fur-like filaments down to the hands.
“What is especially unusual about the beast is the presence of two very long, probably stiff ribbons on either side of its shoulders that were probably used for display, for mate attraction, inter-male rivalry or to frighten off foe,” said co-author Professor David Martill, a paleontologist in the School of the Environment, Geography and Geosciences at the University of Portsmouth.
A peacock-like elaborate dinosaur with a mane of yellow and brown fur down its back and long needles growing from its shoulders has been identified.
Dubbed Ubirajara jubatus indigenous Indian for Maned Lord of the Spear the creature s neck spines are unique in the fossil record and made of keratin, which is the same protein that makes up parts of our hair, nails and skin.
Experts led from the University of Portsmouth believe the flamboyant spines may have been used to impress prospective mates, and that the dinosaur may have indulged in elaborate dancing to show them off.
The needle-like displays were positioned so they would not impede the dinosaur s arms and legs and would not have stopped it from hunting, preening or sending signals.