Isle of Wight fossil reveals new dinosaur species

Researchers have identified a previously unknown species of meat-eating dinosaur, named Invictibellatrix amberina, after a fossilized skull fragment was rediscovered in the Natural History Museum in London. The specimen had been stored in a museum drawer for over 100 years after being discovered by an amateur collector on the Isle of Wight in 1924.

Invictibellatrix amberina is a member of the Megaraptora family, a group of two-legged theropods known for their slender skulls and large, powerful hand claws. This discovery marks the first time a megaraptor has been identified in Europe. The dinosaur is estimated to have been approximately three to four meters long and weighed between 200 and 300 kilograms.

Using computed tomography to create a 3D model of the braincase, the research team, including paleontologists from University College London and the Natural History Museum, identified unique anatomical features such as an hourglass-shaped crest on the skull. Researchers noted that while smaller than a Tyrannosaurus rex, the predator would have been a significant threat to humans of that era due to its size and predatory nature.