Belonged to the group of medium-sized herbivores known as thescelosaurs
Discovery sheds light on lesser-known aspect of dinosaur behavior and adds to understanding of Cretaceous ecosystems
Fossils indicated that Fona was buried in its burrow before death
Newly discovered dinosaur species named Fona herzogae from the Cretaceous period
Unique adaptation: a burrowing dinosaur
Well-preserved skeleton with hindlimbs larger than forelimbs and body built for digging
An intriguing discovery was made in the geological formations of Utah, dating back to the Cretaceous period around 99 million years ago. Researchers from North Carolina State University and North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences unearthed fossils of a previously unknown dinosaur species, named Fona herzogae. This small-bodied herbivore stood out among its contemporaries due to its unique adaptation: it was a burrowing dinosaur.
Fona herzogae belonged to the group of medium-sized herbivores known as thescelosaurs, which were characterized by their lack of ornate spikes, horns, crests or other bizarre features. Recent evidence suggests that this group might have been among the few dinosaur species capable of burrowing into the ground.
The new discovery consisted of a well-preserved skeleton with hindlimbs larger than forelimbs and a body built for digging. The pelvic bones were fused, which likely helped stabilize its body while excavating its burrow. Furthermore, the fossils indicated that Fona was buried in its burrow before death.
The name Fona herzogae is derived from Avrahami's mother's birthplace, Guam. The research team, led by Haviv Avrahami and Lindsay Zanno, published their findings in the scientific journal The Anatomical Record on July 9, 2024.
This discovery sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of dinosaur behavior and adds to our understanding of Cretaceous ecosystems. Fona herzogae's burrowing habits may have provided it with advantages in terms of shelter, food acquisition, and protection from predators. The study also highlights the importance of continued exploration and research into the fascinating world of dinosaurs.
Fona herzogae is an exception to the rule of only finding fractured bits and pieces of dinosaurs among the 99-million-year-old rocks. This small herbivore burrowed into the ground and created dens where other dinosaurs were entombed, preserving more frequently than their neighbors.
Fona belonged to a group of medium-sized herbivores called thescelosaurs, which had no ornate spikes, horns, crests or other bizarre ornaments. Recent evidence suggests that thescelosaurs were among the few known dinosaur species that burrowed into the ground.
Adult Fona were about seven feet long, with sturdy hips and expanded shoulder bones for digging. They might have dug using their arms to scratch soil loose before using their legs to kick sediment out of the way.
Accuracy
Fona belonged to a group of medium-sized herbivores called thescelosaurs, which had no ornate spikes, horns, crests or other bizarre ornaments.
Fona skeletons are among the most abundant dinosaur material found in eastern Utah rocks.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(95%)
No formal fallacies found. There are some informal fallacies in the form of an appeal to authority and a dichotomous depiction. The appeal to authority comes from quoting other paleontologists' opinions on the burrowing behavior of dinosaurs, giving them credibility but not providing evidence themselves for this behavior.
. . . recent evidence suggests that thescelosaurs were among the few known dinosaur species that burrowed into the ground . . .
Fona herzogae is a newly discovered dinosaur species that lived in Utah 99 million years ago.
It had hindlimbs larger than forelimbs and a body built for digging.
Bones along its pelvis were fused, which probably helped stabilize its body while digging.
The way the fossils were preserved suggests that Fona was buried in a burrow before death.
Accuracy
]Fona herzogae is a newly discovered dinosaur species that lived in Utah 99 million years ago.[
It is one of a few known species of burrowing dinosaurs.
The researchers found evidence that Fona spent at least part of its life underground in burrows.
Fona was a small herbivorous dinosaur, about the size of a large dog.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(95%)
There are no formal fallacies present in the article. However, there is an appeal to authority and a slight exaggeration in describing Fona herzogae's lifestyle as 'at least part of the time underground'. The rest of the article is well-supported by evidence.
The researchers published their peer-reviewed findings in The Anatomical Record on July 9, 2024.
Haviv Avrahami of NC State University is the lead author of the paper.
Co-author Lindsay Zanno of NC Museum of Natural Sciences also commented:
Fona gives us insight into the third dimension an animal can occupy by moving underground. It adds to the richness of the fossil record and expands the known diversity of small-bodied herbivores, which remain poorly understood despite being incredibly integral components of Cretaceous ecosystems.
Present-day Utah was a very different place 99 million years ago. It was a warm wet floodplain with rivers coursing through it. To the east was the shore of an inland sea. And to the west were mountains, including volcanoes.
