Portellsaurus sosbaynati a new genus and species of ornithopod dinosaur from Spain.

What is it about?

According to the studies carried out, Portellsaurus is a new dinosaur species that lived in the province of Castellón about 130 million years ago. The fossils were found in the site of Mas de Curolles-II in Portell town (Castellón). Holotype has been described on the basis of an almost complete right dentary from a large individual (6 to 8 m). For the genus name, researchers have combined the name of Portell, the town where the fossil was discovered, with the Greek word ‘sauros’ (lizard). The name of the species is dedicated to Mr. Vicente Sos Baynat, a Spanish geologist born in Castellón and the first scientist to be honored with the title of “Doctor Honoris Causa” by the Universitat Jaume I.

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Photo by Rafał Danhoffer on Unsplash

Photo by Rafał Danhoffer on Unsplash

Why is it important?

1) Portellsaurus sosbaynati a new genus and species of styracosternan dinosaur. 2) Portellsaurus sosbaynati is the first dinosaur species identified in the Mirambell Formation (Lower Cretaceous). 3) Portellsaurus sosbaynati is the oldest known dinosaur species in the province of Castelló, about 130 million years old. 4) According to the results of the study, Portellsaurus sosbaynati is closely related to the Chinese dinosaur Bolong and the African dinosaur Ouranosaurus.

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