Dinosaurs are beautiful creatures that lived and ruled the world millions of years ago. To explore the lost world of these creatures, paleontologists try to identify new species by examining fossil remains. And now let us introduce you to Protathlitis cinctorrensis, a new one spinosaurid species.

Spinosaurids were large, carnivorous dinosaurs that walked on two legs. Dinosaurs in this group are known to eat fish and live near water. However, it is not known for sure whether they can swim. Spinosaurids originated in Europe and later It is thought to have spread to Africa and Asia..

How was Protathlitis cinctorrensis discovered?

Fossils of Protathlitis cinctorrensis were found in 2011 in the Arcillas de Morella Formation in eastern Spain. This formation dates from the early Cretaceous (about 127-126 million years ago) belongs. Among the fossil fragments found were a right jawbone, a tooth and five caudal vertebrae. Based on these remains, researchers estimate that the dinosaur was 10-11 meters long.

By comparing them to other known spinosaurid specimens, the researchers concluded that the fossils represented both a new species and genus of spinosaurids. Protathlitis cinctorrensis is named after the Greek “champion” and from the town of Cinctorres, where the fossils were found. In the naming of this species, it also refers to the football club Villarreal CF, which won the Europa League in 2021.

Discovery of Protathlitis cinctorrensis after dental fossils, the first evidence of the existence of spinosaurids in Spain considered an important finding. The discovery also provides new information about the origin and diversification of spinosaurids. The research results have been published in the journal Scientific Reports.