A new bipedal dinosaur species named Mexidracon longimanus was presented by researchers from the Paleontology Museum of the Benemérita Escuela Normal Superior de Coahuila, Mexico. The presentation followed extensive research and validation over the past decade. The team, including Mexican, American, and Spanish scientists, commenced their exploration in 2014 and recently published their comprehensive findings in the journal Cretaceous Research.
The distinctive traits of Mexidracon longimanus, derived from its membership in the Ornithomimidae family, have piqued scientific curiosity. These theropod dinosaurs, often called ostrich-like due to their likeness to modern ostriches, featured elongated limbs and small heads, with Mexidracon's distinguishing characteristic being its exceptionally long metacarpal bones. These resulted in hands longer than the dinosaur's shoulders, an unprecedented feature among similar fossils.
The initial discovery took place in 2014 during an excavation in the Cerro del Pueblo geological formation. Paleontologist Claudio de León identified the arms, legs, and vertebrae of an unclassifiable fossil, which eventually led to the recognition of this new species. The process involved four years of meticulous extraction efforts to retrieve remains trapped inside a rock before subsequent analysis could proceed.
Researchers attributed Mexidracon longimanus to the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 73 million years ago. The distinctive long hands of this species have sparked debates regarding their utility, with hypotheses ranging from foraging in dense vegetation to preying on small creatures near water bodies. Researchers draw a parallel between the dinosaur’s hands and those of modern tree sloths, suggesting they might have been instrumental in gathering vegetation or accessing food in trees or shrubs.
Coahuila’s reputation as a rich site for dinosaur fossils, particularly its Cerro del Pueblo formation, was affirmed by this discovery. The region, as explained by El País, was a coastal environment during the Late Cretaceous, characterized by estuaries and bays, which provided a habitat for a diverse range of species, including the unveiled Mexidracon longimanus. El País notes the finding of fossilized snails within the same sediment layers, supporting the notion of a coastal habitat for the dinosaur species.
Mexican paleontologist Claudia Serrano Brañas joined the project in 2018 and played a pivotal role in the identification of the specimen at the Benemérita Escuela Normal Superior de Coahuila laboratory.
According to Milenio.com, ongoing studies will delve into understanding the dinosaur's diet, which possibly included crabs, insects, plants, and small creatures, reflecting its omnivorous tendencies.
Mexidracon longimanus, which measured around two meters in length, will eventually be represented in an exhibit at the Benemérita Escuela Normal de Coahuila, offering both scientists and the public insight into the distinctive dinosaur species and expanding our knowledge of prehistoric life in northern Mexico.
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq