It is always exciting for fans of paleontology when a new species of dinosaur is discovered, but more exciting is when a dinosaur from your country is discovered… This dinosaur discovery in particular is highly important as it marks the first toothless non-avian theropod (dinosaur) to have been discovered here in brazil.
The dinosaur in question is estimated to be a 1 meter long herbivore, which may or may not have had omnivorous dietary preferences. Senior author Dr. Alexander Kellner from the Museu Nacional and Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro had this to say about it, “Berthasaura leopoldinae is the first toothless non-avian theropod known from Brazil,” and, “It also represents the most complete non-avian theropod from the Brazilian Cretaceous and preserves the most complete noasaurid axial series known so far”.
Another interesting fact about this species is where it was discovered. According to the scientists, it was discovered in the Cemiterio dos Pterossauros Quarry, a rich fossil bed that has given Brazil 2 distinct species including the toothless dinosaur from before as well as the pterosaur, Caiujara Dobruskii.
Overall this discovery illustrates a lot. From supporting Brazil as a fossil discovery hotspot in the world as well as bringing unique species that are new to science. This species is new on many levels as well as being the second toothless non coelurosaurian species to be discovered. Lastly a quote from the researchers behind the paper, “In summary, Berthasaura leopoldinae is a nearly complete and well-preserved noasaurid that possesses unique anatomical features among ceratosaurs[...]”.
Image Source: de Souza
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