Possible 180-Million-Year-Old Flying Dinosaur Fossil Unearthed in Rajasthan

Scientists have uncovered a possible 180-million-year-old flying herbivorous dinosaur fossil in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district, which could be the first flying reptile fossil found in the region's Lathi Formation, a fossil-rich area dating to the Jurassic period. Meanwhile, on the Isle of Wight, a new species of iguanodontian dinosaur named Istiorachis macaruthurae was identified by PhD student Jeremy Lockwood; this dinosaur is notable for its pronounced sail-like structure along its back, which is believed to have been used for visual signaling in sexual displays. The fossil, dated to 125 million years ago, was initially mistaken for known species until Lockwood's detailed analysis revealed its unique long neural spines. Lockwood named the species after Dame Ellen MacArthur, a sailor from the Isle of Wight famous for her solo world sailing record. Researchers suggest that such sails in reptiles are often more prominent in males and evolved to attract mates or intimidate rivals, reflecting sexual selection. These discoveries highlight the ongoing importance of fossil analysis to deepen understanding of dinosaur diversity and behavior across different time periods and geographies.