New duck-billed dinosaur species discovered in Mexico

Excavation of Coahuirasaurus Lipani Fossils

The fossil was originally excavated in the Pallas Basin area in the 1980s. Initially, paleontologists thought it belonged to another genus. However, a recent study using advanced technology reclassified the fossil as a new species – Coahuilasaurus lipani. Named after the Coahuila region and the Lipani Apache tribe, this dinosaur had a unique snout that made it much larger than its relatives.

For hardy plants

Lipani differed from other duck-billed dinosaurs in that it had tooth-like protrusions on the roof of its mouth. These structures suggest that the dinosaurs were adapted to eat rough, fibrous plants such as palm trees. Its specialized diet may have helped it thrive in the tropical environment of late Cretaceous Mexico, where it lived some 73 million years ago.

How this discovery changed scientific understanding

One of the most important aspects of this discovery is what it reveals about the distribution of dinosaurs. Traditionally, paleontologists believed that large dinosaurs, like many other large animals, had broad geographic ranges. Paleontologists now believe that some species may have lived in smaller, specific areas, perhaps due to environmental factors or breeding habits. The discovery is reshaping scientists’ understanding of how dinosaurs adapted to their surroundings.

Geographical significance of Lipanikoa Huirasaurus

While dinosaurs like Lipani roamed the forests of what is now Mexico, the landscape in the area was very different. Higher sea levels and a warmer climate provided an ideal environment for a variety of dinosaur species. The species, which was about 8 meters (26 feet) long, likely roamed in large groups, feeding on the rich vegetation and contributing to the region’s rich biodiversity during the Cretaceous period.

All in all, the discovery of Coahuirasaurus lipani adds to the growing list of dinosaur species endemic to Mexico. The fossil not only highlights the region’s rich paleontological history but also contributes to a broader understanding of dinosaur evolution and adaptation across the Americas.