• New dinosaur species named Joaquinraptor casali discovered in Argentina.
• Unlike the T. rex, it used long arms to capture prey, which provides insight into evolutionary adaptations.
• The dinosaur likely lived between 66 to 70 million years ago, close to the extinction of the non-avian dinosaurs.

Scientists have discovered a new dinosaur species named Joaquinraptor casali in Argentina, notable for its powerful claws and an ancient crocodile bone found in its mouth. This dinosaur, part of the megaraptorans family, could reach lengths of approximately 23 feet and is believed to have inhabited regions across present-day South America, Australia, and parts of Asia during the Late Cretaceous period. The research team, led by Lucio Ibiricu from the Patagonian Institute of Geology and Paleontology, noted that the fossils uncovered were some of the most complete yet for this enigmatic group, which has historically been poorly understood, according to CBS News, Los Angeles Times, South China Morning Post, and ABC News.

Research indicates that Joaquinraptor likely lived between 66 and 70 million years ago, suggesting it was one of the final surviving members of its family before the mass extinction event. Its well-preserved fossils, which include much of the skull and appendages, were excavated from the Lago Colhué Huapi Formation in Patagonia. The findings highlight that this new species lived at least until the end of the Cretaceous and adds crucial data to the evolutionary history of megaraptorans, according to CBS News and ABC News.

The unique discovery of the crocodile leg bone pressed against its jaws provides vital insights into the dietary habits of Joaquinraptor, suggesting it may have been a dominant predator in its ecosystem, comparable to how the famous T. rex functioned but employing different hunting techniques, as noted by researchers. Additionally, Ibiricu's naming of the dinosaur commemorates his son, which offers a personal touch to this scientific achievement, according to Los Angeles Times and South China Morning Post.