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dirtydog · 03-07-2009, 05:08 PM

New dinosaurs found in Australia

The carnivorous theropod Banjo is likened to the velociraptor

Australian palaeontologists say they have discovered three new dinosaur species after examining fossils dug up in Queensland.

Writing in the journal PLOS One, they describe one of the creatures as a fearsome predator with three large slashing claws on each hand.

The other two were herbivores: one a tall giraffe-like creature, the other of stocky build like a hippopotamus.

The fossils date back nearly 100m years to the middle of the Cretaceous period.

They were found in rocks known as the Winton Formation.

Beyond velociraptor

Queensland Museum palaeontologist, Scott Hucknell, said the carnivore, Australovenator wintonensis, was even bigger and more terrifying than velociraptor made famous in the Jurassic Park movies.

"The cheetah of his time, Banjo was light and agile. He could run down most prey with ease over open ground," he told reporters.

The dinosaurs have been named after characters in Australia's famous song, Waltzing Matilda.

The carnivore has been named named after Banjo Patterson, who composed Waltzing Matilda in Winton in 1885, the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper explained.

Clancy, Witonotitan wattsi, was a tall slender animal, while Matilda, Diamantinasaurus matildae, was more stocky and hippo-like.

These two plant-eating, four-legged sauropod species are new types of titanosaurs - the largest animals ever to walk the earth.

Banjo and Matilda - possibly predator and his prey - were found buried together in a 98m year old billabong, or stagnant pond.

Breakthrough

The find was published in the public access journal Public Library of Science One, and was announced by Queensland Premier Anna Bligh at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History in Winton.

She said the discoveries were a major breakthrough in the scientific understanding of prehistoric life in Australia.

Museum Victoria palaeontologist, John Long, said the finds were "amazing".

The newspaper quoted him saying that the finds put Australia back on the international map of big dinosaur discoveries for the first time since 1981, when the discovery of Muttaburrasaurus, a large four-legged herbivore that could rear up on two legs, was announced.

The new species will be part of the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History under construction in Winton. This aims to house the world's largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils when it is completed in 2015.

BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | New dinosaurs found in Australia

jandajoy · 03-07-2009, 05:22 PM

Naaa. That's Doris. Dead in the Todd. No worries.

Jesus Jones · 03-07-2009, 05:36 PM

How do they know it was fierce and could run down most prey? What evidence is there in this other than a bone structure. Surely they are just assuming.

Whiteshiva · 03-07-2009, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesus Jones

How do they know it was fierce and could run down most prey? What evidence is there in this other than a bone structure. Surely they are just assuming.

The skeleton can tell if it is built for speed, the teeth and claws show that it is a carnivore.

Unless one believes it was galloping after other animals simply to have a chat or to show off its claws, I think one may assume with some confidence it was indeed a runner and a killer......

Panda · 03-07-2009, 06:41 PM

Would have been a scary world to be in back then.
But save a thought for the Aborigines who up till about 10,000 years ago had to contend with now extinct 20 foot goannas built like a crocodile. Must have been a horrifying sight to come across one of those buggers out in the bush.

jandajoy · 03-07-2009, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panda

Must have been a horrifying sight to come across one of those buggers out in the bush.

Not as bad as Doris on a bad day. I ain't joking.

Plan B · 03-07-2009, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whiteshiva

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesus Jones

How do they know it was fierce and could run down most prey? What evidence is there in this other than a bone structure. Surely they are just assuming.

The skeleton can tell if it is built for speed, the teeth and claws show that it is a carnivore.

Unless one believes it was galloping after other animals simply to have a chat or to show off its claws, I think one may assume with some confidence it was indeed a runner and a killer......

If it was from Sydney, then it's quite believable. Slim, fast mover, likes to show off the latest nail polish... More than probable really.

Shirley there must have been gay dinosaurs.

Jet Gorgon · 04-07-2009, 01:45 AM

^ Gay dinosaurs? Another theory on why they died out then.

Looper · 04-07-2009, 02:06 AM

Equal rights for gay dinosaurs.

http://teakdoor.com/the-teakdoor-lou...-in-china.html (World's Gayest Dinosaur Discovered in China)

03-07-2009, 05:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
dirtydog The Dog Last Online: Today 03:41 PM Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Pattaya Jomtien Posts: 43,281	New dinosaurs found in Australia New dinosaurs found in Australia The carnivorous theropod Banjo is likened to the velociraptor Australian palaeontologists say they have discovered three new dinosaur species after examining fossils dug up in Queensland. Writing in the journal PLOS One, they describe one of the creatures as a fearsome predator with three large slashing claws on each hand. The other two were herbivores: one a tall giraffe-like creature, the other of stocky build like a hippopotamus. The fossils date back nearly 100m years to the middle of the Cretaceous period. They were found in rocks known as the Winton Formation. Beyond velociraptor Queensland Museum palaeontologist, Scott Hucknell, said the carnivore, Australovenator wintonensis, was even bigger and more terrifying than velociraptor made famous in the Jurassic Park movies. "The cheetah of his time, Banjo was light and agile. He could run down most prey with ease over open ground," he told reporters. The dinosaurs have been named after characters in Australia's famous song, Waltzing Matilda. The carnivore has been named named after Banjo Patterson, who composed Waltzing Matilda in Winton in 1885, the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper explained. Clancy, Witonotitan wattsi, was a tall slender animal, while Matilda, Diamantinasaurus matildae, was more stocky and hippo-like. These two plant-eating, four-legged sauropod species are new types of titanosaurs - the largest animals ever to walk the earth. Banjo and Matilda - possibly predator and his prey - were found buried together in a 98m year old billabong, or stagnant pond. Breakthrough The find was published in the public access journal Public Library of Science One, and was announced by Queensland Premier Anna Bligh at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History in Winton. She said the discoveries were a major breakthrough in the scientific understanding of prehistoric life in Australia. Museum Victoria palaeontologist, John Long, said the finds were "amazing". The newspaper quoted him saying that the finds put Australia back on the international map of big dinosaur discoveries for the first time since 1981, when the discovery of Muttaburrasaurus, a large four-legged herbivore that could rear up on two legs, was announced. The new species will be part of the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History under construction in Winton. This aims to house the world's largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils when it is completed in 2015. BBC NEWS \| Science & Environment \| New dinosaurs found in Australia __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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03-07-2009, 05:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
jandajoy Thailand Travel Forum Last Online: Today 02:25 PM Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: out bush Chiang Rai way Posts: 14,014	Naaa. That's Doris. Dead in the Todd. No worries.

03-07-2009, 05:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jesus Jones Thailand Expat Last Online: Today 02:50 PM Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,587	How do they know it was fierce and could run down most prey? What evidence is there in this other than a bone structure. Surely they are just assuming.

03-07-2009, 06:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
Panda Thailand Forum Last Online: Today 02:42 PM Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4,917	Would have been a scary world to be in back then. But save a thought for the Aborigines who up till about 10,000 years ago had to contend with now extinct 20 foot goannas built like a crocodile. Must have been a horrifying sight to come across one of those buggers out in the bush.

04-07-2009, 01:45 AM	#8 (permalink)
Jet Gorgon Jihad Barbie Last Online: Yesterday 11:18 PM Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Near Libbies Posts: 12,428	^ Gay dinosaurs? Another theory on why they died out then.

04-07-2009, 02:06 AM	#9 (permalink)
Looper Thailand Expat Last Online: Today 10:16 AM Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,706	Equal rights for gay dinosaurs. http://teakdoor.com/the-teakdoor-lou...-in-china.html (World's Gayest Dinosaur Discovered in China)

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