A team of palaeontologists in Argentina's Neuquén Province has unearthed the partial skeleton of a previously unknown megaraptorid dinosaur dating back 90 million years. This new species, characterized by elongated dorsal spines and a unique hooked claw morphology, provides critical insights into the evolution of apex predators in the Southern Hemisphere during the Late Cretaceous.
The specimen, dubbed Spinovenator austris, suggests a specialized hunting strategy involving high-speed maneuvers in forested environments. Researchers noted that the intact skull fragments and forelimb bones represent the most complete megaraptorid find in the region for over a decade, significantly reshaping our understanding of Gondwanan biodiversity and predatory niches.