A new species of dinosaur was discovered by researchers in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert, according to a new study published Thursday.
The study published in Communications Biology said the species is called Natovenator polydontus. Researchers believe this dinosaur had different swimming capabilities than other dinosaurs.
“Its body shape suggests that Natovenator was a potentially capable swimming predator, and the streamlined body evolved independently in separate lineages of theropod dinosaurs,” the study reads.
Since Natovenator was found in a desert, it is possible the swimming dinosaur would be in contact with a body of water that is now dried up. Researchers want to find the fossil record of possible bodies of water to find more species.
The new dinosaur has a similar body structure to diving birds which have made researchers suggest that it would also possibly dive into water to catch food.
Its streamlined body and particular dorsal rib morphology strongly show this dinosaur could have been using them to move through the water efficiently, according to the study.
“The new specimen includes a well-preserved skeleton with several articulated dorsal ribs that are posterolaterally oriented to streamline the body as in diving birds,” the study said.
