Why is a new dinosaur species trending in the UK?
The fossil, collected in 1924, was re‑examined with CT scans and identified as a new species, Invictibellatrix amberina, the first European megaraptoran. Media coverage highlights its rarity and the mystery of its long‑overlooked status.
What happened
- Earlier
A skull fragment found on the Isle of Wight in 1924 was re‑analysed and named Invictibellatrix amberina, a new early‑Cretaceous megaraptoran dinosaur [1]
- 15 Oct 2026, 04:00 UTC
BBC and Natural History Museum release stories about the discovery, noting it is the first megaraptoran found in Europe [1][2]
What you need to know
The species lived about 120 million years ago in the Early Cretaceous.
It was a small, agile predator about 3–4 m long, likely feathered, with large curved claws.
Its discovery fills a gap in the known geographic spread of megaraptorans, which were previously known only from Asia, South America and Africa.
The find came from re‑examining historic museum collections using modern CT‑scan and modelling techniques.
Scientists have not yet determined why megaraptorans disappeared from northern regions, and further fossils are needed to clarify their full evolutionary history.
Background
Megaraptorans are a group of two‑legged carnivorous dinosaurs related to tyrannosaurs but distinguished by slender heads and massive fore‑limb claws. Few specimens have been found, making each new discovery important for understanding their diversity and distribution.
The Isle of Wight has a long history of dinosaur finds, but this is the first megaraptoran identified there, showing that historic collections can still yield new species when examined with modern technology.
Researchers used CT scanning to create 3‑D models of the skull fragment, comparing its features with those of tyrannosaurs, spinosaurs and other raptors, and applied mathematical modelling to trace megaraptoran spread across ancient continents.
Questions people ask
What does the name Invictibellatrix amberina mean?
It translates to “unconquered female warrior”, referencing the dinosaur’s predatory role and the amber‑rich deposits where the fossil was found.
How big was this dinosaur compared to modern animals?
It was roughly the size of a large tiger, about 3–4 m long and 1.5 m tall, similar in height to an adult human.
Why was the fossil overlooked for so long?
The fragment sat in a museum drawer for nearly a century; only recent CT‑scan analysis highlighted its distinctive features.
Where this came from
Found through Google Trends and drafted with AI from at least two cited sources. Published automatically after passing our automated checks for sources, wording and safety. It may not have been reviewed by a person yet. Report a correction.