New species of dinosaur discovered on the Isle of Wight in England

On the Isle of Wight in England, archaeologists have discovered the remains of a rare species of herbivorous dinosaurs. This find indicates that Europe may have had unique groups of small herbivorous dinosaurs that were distinct from those found in Asia and North America.

Photo: Openverse

The species, scientifically named Vectidromeus insularis, was about the size of a modern chicken, although he was still young at the time the remains were discovered. Scientists believe that this dinosaur could have grown into a much larger animal in adulthood.

Vectidromeus insularis belonged to the hypsilophodont family, which were bipedal herbivorous dinosaurs that existed about 125 million years ago. They lived alongside other dinosaurs such as early tyrannosaurs, spinosaurs and iguanodons.

I wonder what this new species turns out to be a close relative of Hypsilophodon foxii, one of the first dinosaurs described, which had bird-like hind limbs. Scientists view these findings as evidence of a connection between dinosaurs and birds.

The Isle of Wight is famous for its fossil finds and contains Cretaceous sediments several hundred meters thick, where the remains of ancient creatures are preserved. Vectidromeus is the seventh new species of dinosaur discovered on the island in just the last four years.