New Dinosaur Species Duonychus Discovered in Mongolia

A new species of dinosaur named Duonychus tsogtbaatari has been discovered in the Gobi Desert, showcasing unique features including two large claws and a size of approximately 260 kilograms. This therizinosaur, which lived during the late Cretaceous period, is particularly noteworthy for its evolutionary divergence from typical therizinosaurs that usually have three fingers. Researchers indicate that the long, curved claws may have been used for both foraging and defense. The fossilized remains were first unearthed in 2012 during pipeline construction and include parts of the backbone, hips, and limbs, highlighting the dinosaur's herbivorous diet. The discovery is significant for understanding dinosaur diversity and the ecological roles they played in their environments. This finding adds to the rich fossil record of the Gobi Desert, a key area for paleontological studies.