The discovery was published in the scientific journal Cretaceous Research. (Representational Image)
A remarkable new dinosaur species has been unearthed in Brazil following the study of footprints discovered in the city of Araraquara, as reported by the BBC.
Back in the 1980s, within Brazil’s Botucatu Formation, Italian priest and palaeontologist Giuseppe Leonardi made an astonishing discovery of dinosaur footprints, later identified as “trackways” by scientists. Preserved within the ancient sandstones of the region, these fossilized imprints provided an intriguing glimpse into the past, hinting at the existence of an unknown species.
Fueled by curiosity and a deep passion for palaeontology, Leonardi carefully collected and documented these trackways, ensuring their preservation for future investigations. Subsequently, he generously donated the specimens to Brazil’s Museum of Earth Sciences, where they awaited further analysis.
After years of meticulous scrutiny and comparison with existing dinosaur track records, it was revealed that these footprints were unlike any previously known. Their unique features, such as long, slender toes and a wide stride, suggested the presence of a nimble, desert-dwelling dinosaur.
Finally, in a groundbreaking study published in 2023, a team of scientists headed by Leonardi officially named this new species Farlowichnus rapidus, meaning “Fast Farlow’s track.” According to their findings, Farlowichnus rapidus was a small, agile carnivore that roamed the arid landscapes of early Cretaceous Brazil, approximately 125 million years ago.
This newly discovered species, known as Farlowichnus rapidus, was a small carnivorous creature about the size of a modern-day seriema bird, reaching approximately 60-90 cm (2-3 feet) in height, according to research.
The unearthing of Farlowichnus rapidus underscores the importance of preserving and carefully studying fossil trackways, as they can offer invaluable insights into the diversity and behavior of ancient dinosaurs. These footprints serve as a silent testament to the remarkable adaptations and resilience of life in Earth’s prehistoric era.
The discovery was detailed in the scientific journal Cretaceous Research.
“Based on the considerable distance between the footprints found, it can be inferred that it was a very swift reptile that raced across the ancient dunes,” stated the geological service in a release.
The early Cretaceous period spanned from 100 to 145 million years ago.
The footprints differ from all other known dinosaur footprints, according to MCTer palaeontologist Rafael Costa.
