A small carnivorous dinosaur, measuring only 70 centimeters long and weighing about 2 kilograms, has been identified in Argentina, significantly altering the historical understanding of the alvarezsauroide lineage.
A newly discovered small carnivorous dinosaur, named Alnashetri cerropoliciensis, has been found in Argentina, measuring only 70 centimeters in length and weighing around 2 kilograms. This discovery, published in the journal Nature, presents new insights into the evolutionary history of alvarezsauroide theropods, an enigmatic group from the Mesozoic era. The study indicated that the origins, expansion, and body evolution of these creatures need to be re-evaluated based on this new evidence.
The research was led by paleontologist Peter J. Makovicky from the University of Minnesota, who collaborated with Argentine researchers from multiple institutions including the Instituto de Investigación en Paleobiología y Geología at the Universidad Nacional de Río Negro, the Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas in San Luis, and Fundación Azara–Universidad Maimónides. This collaborative effort signifies the increasing global cooperation in paleontological research and highlights Argentina's importance in understanding Mesozoic fauna.
The naming of the alvarezsauroide group pays homage to the late historian Gregorio Álvarez, reflecting the deep historical roots in the region where the first species was found in Neuquén during the 1990s. This discovery not only enriches the scientific community's understanding of dinosaur evolution but also reinforces Argentina's role in the field of paleontology, urging future studies to focus on this unique lineage and its implications for the broader evolutionary narrative.
