An antelope-sized dinosaur that grazed on plants and roamed South-East Asia some 145 million to 200 million years ago has been discovered in Thailand. The new species, named Minimocursor phunoiensis, was identified from a set of fossils unearthed in the Phu Kradung Formation in the north of the country, which has thrown up a wealth of specimens in recent years.
at Mahasarakham University in Thailand and his colleagues analysed the fossils for more than six years before concluding that they belong to a species previously unknown to science. They focused on 225 characteristics of the skeleton and found at least five unique traits in the creature鈥檚 hands, face and hips. For instance, M. phunoiensis had a distinctive small bony lump on its jaw, and an uncommon flange on the pubic bone.
The animal鈥檚 tooth records suggest it was a plant-eating dinosaur. There were at least 10 different specimens found together at the site. This suggests it was probably quite a common, widespread animal, says Manitkoon.
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The researchers estimate adults of the species could grow up to 2 metres in length, the size of a deer or antelope. One of the fossilised specimens seems to have been caught mid-run, suggesting that it may have been quite active, earning it the name Minimocursor, meaning 鈥渢he smallest runner鈥�.
Minimocursor appears to belong to a part of the family tree where virtually all the dinosaurs are from East Asia, their distribution ranging from Thailand in the south to Siberia in the north, says palaeontologist at the University of Southampton in the UK. This region has the potential to reveal such good, articulated remains, so there is a chance there is more to come, he says.
Diversity
