British scientists discover 2 new species of big dinosaurs

Two new species of dinosaurs that may have once roamed the south coast 125 million years ago have been discovered by fossil hunters on the Isle of Wight in the UK, Report informs referring to WalesOnline.

The two carnivorous reptiles – described as a “hell heron” and a “riverbank hunter” – are thought to have been nine meters long with skulls like crocodiles.

One expert hailed the discovery of the two specimens in quick succession as a “huge surprise” but said paleontologists had suspected for decades that the remains of such dinosaurs could be found on the island.

The haul of bones was discovered on a beach near Brighstone over several years.

Scientists now say they relate to two new species of spinosaurid, a group of predatory theropod dinosaurs closely related to the giant Spinosaurus.

In all, more than 50 bones from the site have been uncovered from rocks that form part of the Wessex Formation, laid down more than 125 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous period.

Most other finds since have been restricted to isolated teeth and single bones.

Analysis of the Isle of Wight bones carried out at the University of Southampton and published in the Scientific Reports journal suggested they belonged to species of dinosaurs previously unknown to science.