Vectidromeus insularis, the new-to-science species discovered on the Isle of Wight

Wednesday - September 20 2023, 14:56 UTC - 1 year ago

A previously unknown species of small herbivorous dinosaur - Vectidromeus insularis - has been discovered on the Isle of Wight, making it the second member of the hypsilophodontids family to have been unearthed in this area. This new species is the seventh new species of dinosaur to be discovered on the island in the last four years, highlighting the rich fossil deposits found within the Cretaceous strata. Hypsilophodon and Vectidromeus shared physical characteristics such as small and thin bodies with bird-like hindlimbs. There is ongoing discussion within the scientific community regarding including certain species within the hypsilophodont family.

A previously unknown species of small herbivorous dinosaur has been introduced. Named Vectidromeus insularis, the fossilized bones were discovered on the Isle of Wight in southern England (UK). This new-to-science species was adorably tiny, approximately chicken-sized, and lived over 100 million years ago. However, the fossil is thought to belong to a juvenile, implying that the adults of this species were likely much more significant. A second known member of the hypsilophodontids family.

Interestingly, this newly discovered species is just the second available member of the hypsilophodontids family to have been unearthed on this "Dinosaur island." The hypsilophodontids were a family of small, bipedal (two-legged) dinosaurs that lived around 125 million years ago and devoured mostly plants. The creatures co-existed with some early species of dinosaurs, including tyrannosaurs, spinosaurs, and Iguanodon.

As per the official release, the latest findings indicate that Europe had its unique group of small herbivorous dinosaurs that were relatively distinct from those recorded in other parts of the world, mainly Asia and North America. This newly discovered species shares a close kinship with Hypsilophodon foxii, also unearthed on the Isle of Wight during the 19th century. Because of the almost complete fossils discovered, Hypsilophodon was one of the earliest dinosaurs to be extensively documented during that time. "Paleontologists have been working on the Isle of Wight for more than a century, and these fossils have played an important role in the history of vertebrate paleontology, but we’re still making discoveries about the dinosaur fauna as the sea erodes new fossils out of the cliffs," said Nicholas Longrich, from the Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath, who led the study, in the press release.

Notably, Hypsilophodon shared physical characteristics with its recently discovered cousin. Hypsilophodon was small and thin with bird-like hindlimbs. However, Vectidromeus showcases different hip bone structural features, indicating that it is closely related to Hypsilophodon but a new species.

Rich diversity of fossils discovered on the island. The Isle of Wight has long been regarded as a rich source of dinosaur fossils, with numerous new species found within the extensive Cretaceous strata. Paleontologists estimate that these geological strata boast thicknesses of hundreds of meters and potentially span several million years. "It is utterly bizarre that so many new dinosaurs are being discovered on the Isle of Wight. Vectidromeus is the seventh new species of dinosaur to be discovered in the last four years. This is all down to the amateur collectors," said Dave Martill from the University of Portsmouth and co-author of the study.

The press release also notes an ongoing discussion within the scientific community regarding including certain species within the hypsilophodont family. Over the years, roughly dozens of small, herbivorous dinosaurs were initially classified as part of this family. Still, subsequent revisions in their classification shifted them to different branches of the dino tree of life.