American scientists announced the discovery of a new species of dinosaur

A team of scientists from several American universities presented the world with new data about a dinosaur that was the ancestor of modern crocodiles. The new species, named Garzapelta muelleri, allows us to look at the evolution of ancient reptiles from a different angle.

The remains of this aetosaurus were found in Garza County in northwest Texas. He lived, according to researchers, about 215 million years ago, and resembled a modern American crocodile.

"We have elements from the back of the neck and the shoulder region all the way to the tip of the tail," explained William Reyes, a doctoral student in the School of Geological Sciences at Jackson State University who led the study.

One of the most interesting features of the Garzapelta muelleri is its armor. The main parts of the body of this dinosaur were covered with bony plates that covered about 70% of the body.

An important feature of Garzapelta muelleri is the structure of osteoderms, or bone plates. They were embedded directly into the skin and formed an "armor", connecting like a mosaic. A number of unique features on the plates clearly indicate that this is a new species. They vary from the way they are joined to the bumps and protrusions on the bones. In addition to the body covered with bony plates, the sides of the extinct animal were surrounded by curved spikes.

Observations of osteoderms have also shown that these dinosaurs may have had different armor shapes depending on age or sex.

And another discovery concerns the eating habits of Garzapelta muelleri. Despite their aggressive appearance, scientists believe that these dinosaurs were omnivores, not predators, like modern crocodiles.

Acquaintance of scientists with a new species of dinosaur opens up new opportunities for studying and understanding the ancient world.

Source: abcnews.go.com