New dinosaur species named after fossil analysis

Palaeontologists used 3D technology to build a more detailed picture of the fossil

Palaeontologists have identified a new species of dinosaur - 125 years after its fossil was found.

The team from the University of Bristol used modern digital scanning to reveal more detail on the fossilised jawbone, which was first found in Penarth, South Wales, in 1899 and has been on display at the National Museum of Wales.

The fossil consists of natural moulds left in limestone rock and students were able to use photo scanning to make a perfect 3D digital reconstruction.

The dinosaur has been named Newtonsaurus cambrensis, after Isaac Newton, because, "it is different from all other dinosaurs from around that time, and requires a distinctive name", said palaeontology student Owain Evans.

The students say the new information has revealed details that point to Newtonsaurus cambrensis being a large, carnivorous, predator that roamed what is now South Wales in the Triassic period.

"We can now confirm that this specimen very likely belonged to a large predatory theropod dinosaur, that roamed the shores of South Wales during the latest Triassic," he added.

"It has some definite unique dinosaur features in the emplacement of the teeth, and it is a theropod - a predatory, flesh-eating dinosaur.

"The preserved jawbone is 28cm [11in] long, and that is just the front half, so originally the jawbone was 60cm [24in] long, corresponding to a dinosaur with a body length of 5-7m [16-23ft]."

The discovery was only made possible thanks to progresses made in 3D technology.

"We began by surface scanning the fossil using photogrammetry," said Prof Michael J Benton, senior author of the paper that announced the discovery.

"Once we had our digital scan, we then inverted it - essentially giving us a digital negative of the mould.

"It was then a simple case of fusing the two sides together and analysing the anatomy from there."

Museums are optimistic that the latest discovery could lead to more in the future.

"These historical specimens are vitally important in palaeontology and often yield new and exciting results – even if they have been sitting in collections for years," said Cindy Howells, palaeontology curator at the National Museum of Wales.

"Triassic beds are rare worldwide, and yet there are several across Wales," she added.

"There might very well be another dinosaur waiting to be discovered."