A new species of dinosaur has been discovered in Argentina, offering significant insight into prehistoric ecosystems. The fossil remains were found in the Lago Colhué Huapi Formation in Patagonia and were dated to approximately 66 to 70 million years ago, close to the end of the Cretaceous period. The creature, named Joaquinraptor casali, belonged to the enigmatic group known as megaraptorans, which were carnivorous dinosaurs recognized for elongated skulls and formidable claws. According to researchers from the Patagonian Institute of Geology and Paleontology, the specimen measured nearly 23 feet in length and represented one of the most complete skeletons of this group discovered so far. Experts emphasized that the find fills a crucial gap in understanding how these predators evolved and adapted across South America, Australia, and Asia over millions of years. The discovery was detailed in a recent study published in the journal Nature Communications.

Further analysis revealed bones from the skull, arms, legs, and tail, along with an unusual clue about the dinosaur’s feeding behavior. A leg bone was found pressed against the jaws of an ancient crocodilian relative, suggesting a possible predator-prey interaction. Scientists highlighted that this evidence may indicate a diet that included large reptiles, raising questions about whether megaraptorans were apex predators or opportunistic feeders. The research team reported that the animal was at least 19 years old at the time of death, although the cause remains unknown. Paleontologist Lucio Ibiricu, who led the study, dedicated the name of the species to his late son Joaquin, underscoring a poignant human dimension to the scientific achievement. Specialists described the discovery as momentous, not only for its completeness but also for its potential to transform understanding of predator hierarchies in ancient floodplain environments.