California (Web Desk): Researchers have discovered a new species of dinosaur with long and unusual claws in northeastern China.
According to researchers, the discovered dinosaur, Kerasaurus changlinensis, belonged to the bipedal therizinosaur group, which had large and prominent claws on its hands. Experts have described it as the largest dinosaur of its kind.
The fossil was found in a rock layer in the Jehol Biota region of western Liaoning, where an almost complete skull was also preserved. The fossil-bearing formation is approximately 135 million to 121 million years old, and fossils of several species, including feathered dinosaurs, have already been discovered there.
The discovered dinosaur was not fully mature and measured approximately 3.6 meters from head to tail. Since the fossil did not contain the leg bones, its weight could not be determined directly. However, based on comparisons with closely related species, its weight has been estimated at between 117 and 274 kilograms.
According to researchers, the species could have weighed considerably more when fully grown. In addition, its teeth were relatively small and extremely closely spaced, while the lower jaw contained more than 45 teeth.
Other prominent characteristics of dinosaurs from the therizinosaur group included small heads, long necks, leaf-shaped teeth and large, sharp claws on their forelimbs.