Topic: Biology

Scientists discovered a new species of young dinosaur on Aphae Island. The fossil was hidden inside rock and revealed through micro-CT scanning.

The discovery is significant because it's the first new dinosaur species identified in South Korea in 15 years. The team led by Jongyun Jung, a visiting postdoctoral researcher at UT's Jackson School of Geosciences, named the species Doolysaurus huhmini. The name honors Korean paleontologist Min Huh for his contributions to dinosaur research in Korea.

The fossil was discovered in 2023 and initially only showed a few bones, including parts of the legs and spine. However, micro-CT scanning revealed much more, including skull fragments. The team spent over a year studying the anatomy in detail.

The young dinosaur was about two years old when it died and was still growing. It measured roughly the size of a turkey, though adults of the species may have been twice as large. Scientists think it may have had soft, fuzzy filaments covering its body.

CT scanning has become an essential method for studying delicate fossils, especially small dinosaurs and early birds trapped in solid rock. The team confirmed that the fossil belonged to a juvenile by examining growth patterns in a thin section of its femur bone.

The presence of gastroliths, small stones swallowed by the dinosaur to help digest food, suggests the animal had an omnivorous diet that included plants, insects, and small animals.

Why It Matters

This discovery is important because it adds to our understanding of early-diverging neornithischian diversity. It also highlights the significance of CT scanning in studying delicate fossils.

Key Facts

• The new species of dinosaur is named Doolysaurus huhmini and was discovered on Aphae Island in South Korea.
• The fossil was initially hidden inside rock, but micro-CT scanning revealed its full skeleton.
• The young dinosaur was about two years old when it died and was still growing.
• The species had an omnivorous diet that included plants, insects, and small animals.
• The discovery is the first new dinosaur species identified in South Korea in 15 years.

Key Terms

Micro-CT scanning

A method used to visualize fossils trapped inside rock without damaging them.

Implications

This discovery is important because it adds to our understanding of early-diverging neornithischian diversity. It also highlights the significance of CT scanning in studying delicate fossils.