Scientists have discovered large two-toed tracks in Lincheng Town, Fujian Province, east China, which belong to deinonychosaurs, the scientist team said Monday.
At least eight types of dinosaur tracks have been found over the years at the Longxiang tracksite by scientists and experts from China University of Geosciences and Yingliang Stone Natural History Museum, 12 of which are didactyl deinonychosaur tracks that fall into two morphologies.
Among the 12 two-toed fossil tracks, five large tracks measuring 36.4 cm in length and 16.9 cm in width, on average, led researchers to establish a new dinosaur taxon: Fujianipus yingliangi.
Based on relative toe-proportions, Fujianipus is a probable troodontid.
"These are currently the largest deinonychosaur tracks found in China and beyond," said Xing Lida, an associate professor at China University of Geosciences, adding that based on the size of the tracks, it is estimatied that Fujianipus was at least 5 meters long, with a hip height of nearly 2 meters.
"The Longxian tracksite is the best-preserved, largest area, and most diverse Late Cretaceous dinosaur tracksite discovered in China to date," said Niu Kecheng, curator of Yingliang Stone Natural History Museum.
The discovery of the Fujianipus yingliangi greatly expands the size range of deinonychosaur tracks, which is of great significance for the study of the Late Cretaceous dinosaurs in China, Niu added.
The discovery was recently published in the international journal iScience.
Ariana Grande shakes up the 2024 Met Gala with a surprise performance of her biggest hits
Who pays for a president's campaign travel?
Israel's Netanyahu says to increase pressure on Hamas
Lady Amelia Windsor wows in lace slip dress as she attends Earth Day dinner in London
China's Lin dashes Fan's title defense hopes at ITTF World Cup
Confucius Institute library opens doors to Chinese culture for Tanzanian students
Iowa lawmakers address immigration, religious freedom and taxes in 2024 session
New Godzilla x Kong film tops Chinese box office
Mother of Australian surfers killed in Mexico gives moving tribute to sons
2nd victim dies from injuries after Texas man drove stolen semitrailer into building, officials say
Plane passenger reveals his hilarious take on what your seat selection means about your journey
2nd victim dies from injuries after Texas man drove stolen semitrailer into building, officials say