Paleontologists unearths rare two-fingered dinosaur

(MENAFN) Paleontologists have announced the discovery of a new dinosaur species, Duonychus tsogtbaatari, which means “two fingers,” according to a report published by a news agency. The discovery, a rare find, sheds new light on the evolution of therizinosaur dinosaurs.

The fossil, including a remarkably preserved 30-centimeter (11.8-inch) claw, was unearthed during construction of a water pipeline in Mongolia's Gobi Desert. The location of the find is significant, as it adds another piece to the puzzle of dinosaur distribution within the region.

Darla Zelenitsky, an associate professor at the University of Calgary, a leading researcher in the study, explained that Duonychus belongs to the therizinosaur family, a group of herbivorous dinosaurs known for their unusual physical characteristics.

A key characteristic setting Duonychus apart is its reduced number of fingers; while other therizinosaurs are typically three-fingered, Duonychus displays a two-fingered hand.

“They call them the sloths of the Cretaceous period—totally bizarre looking things,” she stated. Adding, “They had rotund bodies, long necks, small heads and unusually long arms with big hands.”

While the current discovery is based on a single specimen, researchers speculate that Duonychus may have inhabited a broader geographical range, potentially spanning both Asia and North America. Further research and fossil discoveries are anticipated to provide a more comprehensive understanding of this unique dinosaur species.

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