Mongolia: Scientists have uncovered a rare new species of two-clawed dinosaur in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert, shedding new light on the evolutionary diversity of theropod dinosaurs.
The species, named Duonychus tsogtbaatari, is unique among Therizinosaurs, a group of bipedal dinosaurs that typically possessed three claws.
Weighing an estimated 260 kilograms, Duonychus tsogtbaatari had long, curved claws capable of strong flexion, suggesting it was an efficient grasper of vegetation.
Therizinosaurs, which lived during the Cretaceous Period (145 to 66 million years ago), were known for their awkward appearance and are exemplified by the massive, long-clawed Therizinosaurus, featured in the film Jurassic World Dominion.
The fossil specimen was excavated from the Bayanshiree Formation, a Late Cretaceous geological site renowned for its wealth of prehistoric remains. UNESCO recognizes the Mongolian Gobi Desert as the world’s largest dinosaur fossil reservoir, offering crucial insights into the final phase of dinosaur evolution.
One of the most remarkable findings was the preservation of a keratinous sheath covering Duonychus tsogtbaatari‘s claw, akin to human fingernails. This sheath likely played a role in defense, movement, or foraging. The dinosaur’s two-fingered hands may have also been used for display, digging, or as defensive weapons.
Despite its resemblance to two-fingered theropods like Tyrannosaurus rex, Duonychus tsogtbaatari evolved its distinct hand structure independently. At nearly a foot long, its claws were significantly larger than the underlying bone, further emphasizing their functional importance.
