Oldest Known Iberian Dinosaur Fossil Discovered in Portugal
A thumb-sized theropod vertebra reveals the earliest evidence of land-dwelling dinosaurs in the region.
1Discovery of Triassic Remains
Researchers from Universidade Nova de Lisboa identified a single theropod vertebral centrum in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. Labeled NOVAFCT-DCT-5562, this fossil measures 37 mm and originates from the Silves Group. It represents the first fully land-dwelling vertebrate described from these specific geological deposits, marking a significant milestone for Iberian paleontology.
2Geological and Temporal Context
The specimen dates back to the Late Triassic epoch, over 220 million years ago. Prior to this discovery, the Triassic fauna of Portugal was primarily associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic animals like fish, placodonts, and large amphibians. This finding confirms the presence of terrestrial dinosaurs in the region much earlier than previously documented.
3Methodology of Evolutionary Analysis
To classify the specimen, scientists compared the bone with vertebrae from various early dinosaurs and their relatives. They utilized an expanded dataset incorporating 13 new characters specifically devised to describe the back vertebrae of early theropods. This rigorous comparative approach allowed the team to place the specimen within the neotheropod branch of predatory dinosaurs.
4Link to Sarcosaurus Lineage
The analysis suggests the fossil is the closest relative of Sarcosaurus woodi, a species previously identified in Early Jurassic rocks of England. If this placement is correct, the discovery pushes back the lineage leading to Sarcosaurus from the latest Late Triassic to the early or middle Late Triassic, significantly altering current evolutionary timelines for these predators.
5Limitations of Fragmentary Evidence
Despite the significance of the find, the bone lacks unique autapomorphies required for species identification. Because the specimen is highly fragmentary, researchers concluded it is impossible to assign it to a known species or formally name a new one. The bone serves as evidence of presence rather than a definitive taxonomic classification.
6Chronological Gap in Species
The specimen is at least 20 million years older than the English Sarcosaurus woodi. Given this substantial temporal gap, the researchers emphasize that the two fossils are highly unlikely to belong to the same species or genus. This distinction highlights the diversity of theropod lineages existing during the complex Late Triassic ecosystem in Europe.
7Significance of Iberian Paleontology
While footprints attributed to the dinosaur clade were previously described in the Triassic of Portugal, this is the first confirmed bone element. This discovery bridges a gap in the fossil record, providing concrete physical evidence of early land-dwelling dinosaurs in a region previously dominated by records of semi-aquatic and aquatic vertebrate life forms.
8Publication and Scientific Impact
The study detailing these findings was published this month in the journal Fossil Imprint. Authored by Rui Tiago Santos-Matos and Octávio Mateus, the paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the specimen. This research establishes a new baseline for understanding the distribution and evolutionary history of early theropods across the Iberian Peninsula during the Triassic.