A team of scientists has discovered the world’s largest two-toed tracks of deinonychosaurs in Lincheng Town, located in southeast China’s Fujian Province. This remarkable find sheds new light on the presence and behavior of these elusive theropod dinosaurs in the region.
Over the years, the Longxiang tracksite has been a treasure trove for paleontologists, revealing at least eight types of dinosaur tracks. Researchers from the China University of Geosciences and the Yingliang Stone Natural History Museum identified 12 didactyl deinonychosaur tracks at the site, classified into two distinct morphologies.
Among these, five exceptionally large tracks averaging 36.4 centimeters in length and 16.9 centimeters in width stood out. These impressive footprints led the team to establish a new dinosaur taxon named Fujianipus yingliangi, honoring the region and the museum instrumental in the discovery.
Deinonychosaurs, often referred to as “raptors,” were swift, bipedal predators known for their characteristic two-toed feet and sharp claws. The size of the footprints suggests that these dinosaurs were much larger than previously thought, prompting a reevaluation of their ecological significance in the area during the Cretaceous period.
This discovery not only adds a new chapter to the rich paleontological history of Fujian Province but also provides invaluable insights for academics and researchers studying dinosaur evolution and diversity in Asia. The findings highlight the potential for further significant discoveries in the region, encouraging continued exploration and study.
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World's largest deinonychosaur tracks discovered in China's Fujian
cgtn.com
