A new dinosaur species has been uncovered in Mongolia, turning previous ideas about theropod evolution on their head, named Duonychus tsogtbaatari, this dinosaur is unique because it only has two clawed fingers, whereas most of its relatives in the therizinosaur family have three. Found in the Gobi Desert, this rare fossil is giving scientists new insights into how these ancient creatures evolved and used their enormous claws.
The discovery of Duonychus was detailed in a study published in iScience, and it’s making waves among paleontologists. Known for their giant claws, therizinosaurs are usually associated with plant-eating, two-legged dinosaurs. But the fact that Duonychus has two claws instead of three raises some interesting questions about how this dinosaur adapted to its environment and why it evolved in this unusual way.
A Two-Clawed Dinosaur?
Therizinosaurs have always been known for their three clawed fingers, but Duonychus breaks that mold. Darla Zelenitsky, a paleontologist at the University of Calgary and one of the study authors, said:
“To find a specimen with only two fingers/claws was surprising as this was so out of the ordinary for this group of dinosaurs.”
The fossil was discovered in the Bayanshiree Formation of southern Mongolia, where the hands were exceptionally well-preserved. This allowed scientists to get a closer look at the dinosaur’s anatomy, including its claws.
What makes this find so special, as mentioned in the study published in the journal iScience, is that the claws still had remnants of akeratinous sheath, similar to human fingernails, which suggests these claws were incredibly sharp and could have been used for a variety of tasks.
Why Did Duonychus Have Only Two Claws?
One major question raised by this discovery is how Duonychus used its two claws. As Yoshitsugu Kobayashi, the study’s lead author, explained the dinosaur likely used its claws to grab and pull vegetation towards its mouth in a “hook-and-pull” motion.
“Based on the shape of its well-preserved claw and how it curved, Duonychus was likely using its hands to grab onto branches and pull vegetation closer, kind of like how chameleons do today,” he added.
This feeding strategy might have worked better for Duonychus, giving it access to food that other therizinosaurs, with their three claws, could’ve had trouble reaching. But Kobayashi also suggests that the claws might have had other uses, such as defense, courtship, or even play.
What Does This Find Say About Theropod Evolution?
Kobayashi explained that Duonychus is the fifth known case of a theropod group evolving to lose a third finger. While it might seem like a small change, it provides important insights into how these dinosaurs adapted to their environment. Losing a claw could have been beneficial for feeding or other behaviors, and it also highlights how evolution can take unexpected turns.
“While more fossils would help confirm this, all signs point to Duonychus representing a true evolutionary shift, not just a fluke,” he stated. “It’s a remarkable find that reshapes our understanding of therizinosaurs and theropod evolution as a whole.”
To better understand the reasons behind this change, scientists are now seeking additional specimens to validate and confirm this evolutionary pattern.
Enjoyed this article? Subscribe to our free newsletter for engaging stories, exclusive content, and the latest news.