The discovery was published in the scientific journal Cretaceous Research. (Image image)
A new species of dinosaur has been identified after footprints found in Araraquara, Brazil. BBC report.
In the 1980s, in the midst of Brazil’s vast Botucatu Formation, Italian priest and paleontologist Giuseppe Leonardi stumbled upon the astonishing discovery of a series of dinosaur footprints, later referred to by scientists as “orbitals.” . Preserved in the region’s ancient sandstones, these fossilized traces offered a fascinating glimpse into the past and hinted at the presence of previously unknown dinosaur species.
Driven by curiosity and a passion for paleontology, Leonardi meticulously collected and documented these orbits, ensuring they were preserved for future research. In 1984, he generously donated the specimen to Brazil’s Museum of Geosciences, where it awaited further analysis.
Years of careful research and comparisons with existing dinosaur footprints have revealed a surprising truth. These footprints were unlike anything found before. Distinctive features such as long, slender toes and a wide stride suggested it was an agile, desert-dwelling dinosaur.
In a groundbreaking study published in 2023, a team of scientists led by Leonardi officially named the new species Farlowichnus rapidus, meaning “fast Farlow’s footprint.” According to their analysis, Farlowichnus rapidus was a small, nimble carnivore that roamed the arid regions of Brazil during the Early Cretaceous period, about 125 million years ago.
The new species, called Farlowichnus rapidus, was a small carnivore about the same size as modern Seriema birds, measuring about 60 to 90 centimeters (2 to 3 feet) long, researchers said.
The discovery of Farlowichnus rapidus highlights the importance of preserving and carefully studying fossil trajectories, as they can provide valuable insights into the diversity and behavior of ancient dinosaurs. These footprints are silent evidence of the remarkable adaptation and resilience of life in Earth’s prehistory.
The discovery was published in the scientific journal Cretaceous Research.
“Due to the large distances between the footprints found, we can infer that these are very fast reptiles that ran through ancient sand dunes,” the geological agency said in a statement.
The Early Cretaceous period lasted from 100 million years ago to 145 million years ago.
MCTer paleontologist Rafael Costa said the footprints are unlike any other known dinosaur footprints.