A team of palaeontologists has struck gold in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert. Christened Duonychus tsogtbaatari, the rare two-clawed dinosaur species discovered stands out among Therizinosaurs, a gang of plant-munching oddballs with typically three claws per hand.

Pulled from the Bayanshiree Formation, this 260kg beast roamed during the Late Cretaceous, some 100.5 to 66 million years back. Its oversized claws hint at a knack for snagging greenery or throwing down in a fight, spotlighting the Gobi’s endless fossil riches.

Rare Two-Clawed Dinosaur Species Discovered

This Duonychus fossil reveals it had just two prominent curved claws per hand, not three, making it a black sheep among the Therizinosaur group.

It has been retrieved from the Bayanshiree Formation in the Gobi Desert, a significant Late Cretaceous fossil bed. It featured a keratinous claw sheath, a novel trait among Therizinosaurs, likely aiding functionality.

Also Read: 300-Year-Old Beech In Dalkowskie Hills Wins Poland Its Fourth Consecutive European Tree Of The Year

Ecological and Behavioral Insights into the Discovery

The fossil provided insight into the dietary and environmental aspects of the late evolutions of dinosaurs.They are hypothesized to have followed a herbivorous or possibly omnivorous lifestyle, with the two long, elongated, flexible claws likely being utilized to forage and scavenge vegetation in the then rich and verdant ecosystem.

These claws, extending nearly a foot, could also function as defensive instruments, digging tools, or visual signals.

Scientific Implications

The fossil was studied and analyzed by experts, including Dr Yoshi Kobayashi of Hokkaido University and Dr Darla Zelenitsky of the University of Calgary; this study advances Therizinosaur knowledge.

The Duonychus is proof of convergent evolution. Unlike tyrannosaurids such as Tyrannosaurus rex, Duonychus developed its two-clawed structure independently. This fossil is recognized by UNESCO as the world’s largest dinosaur fossil repository.

Also Read: Accelerated Climate Action Could Boost Global GDP By 0.2% By 2040