LISBON, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Researchers from the Lisbon-based Center for Research in Paleobiology and Paleoecology announced on Friday the excavation of what could be the most complete dinosaur fossil ever found in Portugal.
The specimen, of "extreme importance and rarity," belonged to the Ankylosauria family, a group of armored dinosaurs characterized by bony dorsal plates and lateral spines.
It dated approximately 148 million years ago and, at around 2.5 meters in length, was believed to represent a juvenile or sub-adult individual.
Full excavation began in June this year, with the skeleton found articulated from parts of the skull to the tip of the tail, lying face down -- a rare preservation posture, as most dinosaur fossils were found on their sides.
"We believe the specimen may be between 80 and 85 percent complete," said Bruno Camilo, director of the center, which is part of the Natural History Society (SHN). "We cannot yet see the front limbs, but we believe they are underneath the body. Only later, in the laboratory, when we clean the block, will we be able to access that part."
Camilo described the find as surprising on multiple grounds, noting that ankylosaurs are rare worldwide and are thought to have lived in small populations even during the Jurassic period.
He added that while some primitive examples of the family are known from England, specimens from continental Europe are known only from the Upper Jurassic and, at present, exclusively from Portugal. ■