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Chile: Remains of dinosaur with duck's beak discovered

#archaeology #dinosaurs #science

Scientists in Chile have for the first time discovered the remains of a species of dinosaur with a duck's beak – the «Gonkoken nanoi».

According to Alexander Vargas, study author and director of the University of Chile's palaeontological network, these are slender-looking dinosaurs that could stand on both two and four legs to reach vegetation at height and on the ground.

In addition, the dinosaur could apparently grow four meters long and weigh a tonne and lived 72 million years ago in the extreme south of what is now the Chilean region of Patagonia. Until now, the distribution of «hadrosaurs», dinosaur species with duck bills, during the Cretaceous period was only known in North America, Asia and Europe. The fact that they apparently also occurred in the southern hemisphere surprised the scientists. They now want to find out «how their ancestors got there,» says Vargas.

«Resembling a duck or a swan»

The remains of the «Gonkoken nanoi» had already been discovered in 2013, followed by years of research. It is the fifth dinosaur species discovered in Chile. The name «Gonkoken» means «resembling a duck or a swan» in the language of the former indigenous people of the region.

Written by: sda

Illustration: Francisco Hueichaleo

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April 15th, 2024
a baby in a newborn ward

AI diagnoses heart defects in babies

An artificial intelligence (AI) developed by Zurich researchers recognises a specific heart defect in newborns. According to the researchers, it has the potential to reduce the number of missed diagnoses of pulmonary hypertension.
April 29th, 2024
the new robot can mimic the softness of materials

Robot reproduces the softness of materials

A new robot can precisely mimic the softness of various materials. In future, medical students could use it to practise detecting malignant tumours or researchers could feel the softness of an object in space.
May 6th, 2024
PEBE

Are CO2 absorbers the saviors of the climate crisis?

In the fight against climate change, gigatons of carbon dioxide will have to be removed from the atmosphere over the course of the century - using so-called carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies are giving people new hope.
June 12th, 2024
pedestrians at a zebra crossing

New car camera detects pedestrians 100 times faster

A new type of car camera recognises obstacles 100 times faster than previous driver assistance systems. In future, this technology should help to brake cars in good time if a pedestrian suddenly runs into the road.
August 5th, 2024
Pedestrians walk on planks across a flooded square in Switzerland.

Climate change causes global economy to shrink significantly

According to a new forecast, the global economy is at risk of shrinking by around a fifth by the middle of the century due to climate change.
August 19th, 2024