New Iguanodon Species Discovered in Portugal, Possessed “Mean look” Similar to Eagles
A new species of Iguanodon has been identified from a fossil skull discovered in Portugal, adding to the known diversity of the herbivorous dinosaur. The finding, detailed by paleontologists Koen Stein of the VUB adn Bertozzo of Nature Watches in Brussels, marks the first Iguanodon species identified in Portugal, joining previously known species from Belgium, England, Spain, and Germany.
The Portuguese Iguanodon was likely smaller than its Belgian relative, Iguanodon bernissartensis. Researchers estimate the newly discovered specimen reached 6 to 7 meters in height, perhaps growing to 8 to 9 meters as an adult, compared to the 9 to 10 meter size of the Belgian Iguanodon.
Unique features of the skull - consisting of the right side,parts of the skull roof,and a nearly complete brain pan – suggest a distinct appearance. The upper jaw and cheekbone were fully fused, a characteristic not seen in other Iguanodon species, and the eyebrow bone was unusually low. “Possibly that bone supported a heavy eyebrow arch, similar to modern eagles,” said Bertozzo. “That probably gave him a mean sight.” The fossil also shows replacement teeth ready to emerge.
The revelation site is located near the Atlantic Ocean, and the skull was broken from a cliff face, making further fossil recovery unlikely. The specimen has been returned to the Sociedade de História Natural de Torres Vedras in Portugal, which hopes to eventually display it in a future museum.
Belgium remains a key location for exceptionally well-preserved Iguanodon fossils due to ideal preservation conditions in ancient lakebeds with fine mud accumulation, according to Stein.
