Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology => Topic started by: Kerry on 25/03/2010 14:53:22

Title: New species of dinosaur discovered?
Post by: Kerry on 25/03/2010 14:53:22

Is it just me or do there seem to be a fair few new dinosaur species discovered recently?

Here are just two I can think of:
Linheraptor exquisitus: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-03/gwu-gpc031710.php
Abydosaurus mcintoshi: http://www.labnews.co.uk/laboratory_article.php/5292/2/2/new-dinosaur-species-discovered

Title: New species of dinosaur discovered?
Post by: LeeE on 25/03/2010 16:27:33

I think that you'll probably find that the rate of 'new' dinosaur discovery is proportional to the funds available for excavating new areas.  In other words it's extremely unlikely that we've discovered even a tiny fraction of the prehistoric creatures that once lived and that the discovery of 'new' ones just comes down to being able to afford new excavation projects in areas previously unexplored.