The remains of a previously unknown herbivorous dinosaur of the Southern Hemisphere have been discovered in Chile. Researchers from the University of Chile report this in the journal Science Advances.
The animal was found in Chilean Patagonia, where major fossil discoveries have been made frequently in recent years. Alexander Vargas, one of the researchers, described the animal as “a slender-looking dinosaur that could reach vegetation on two and four legs.”
The species also had large, flat beaks, Vargas said, similar to those of ducks, but with sharper edges and many teeth that allowed them to grind, crush, and chop through almost any plant material, including wood.
The dinosaur lived 72 million years ago in the far south of Chile. The animal was up to four meters long, weighed a ton, and had a duck-like beak. Chilean scientists named the dinosaur genus Gonkoken nanoi. The word “gonkoken” comes from Tehuelche, the main language of the region until the end of the 19th century, and means “like a wild duck or swan”.
Gonkoken nanoi is the fifth dinosaur species discovered in Chile.
More photos from the special discovery
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