287mn-yr-old pre-dino era predator found with fangs intact
December 7th, 2010 - 12:07 pm ICT by ANIWashington, Dec 7 (ANI): A rare skull-complete with fangs-of a pre-dinosaur era predator that lived 287 million years ago has been found in a Texas dig.
Paleontologists from the Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) said the skull-nicknamed ‘Wet Willi’-belongs to Dimetrodon giganhomogenes, reports the Discovery News.
This reptile, with its iconic sail-shaped back, is often mistakenly identified as a dinosaur, and is even included in packages of toy dinosaurs.
Robert Bakker, curator of paleontology at the HMNS, and his team found the new specimen at Craddock Brothers Ranch in Seymour, Texas.
‘Wet Willi’ would have been 11 feet long with a four-foot vertical fin running the length of his body. However, the purpose of the prominent fin that defines this species has been debated since it was first discovered 1878.
It was originally suggested that the fin was used for thermoregulati-self-regulation of body temperature-even when outside temperatures may vary drastically
It now, however, seems more likely that this dramatic fin was for show, to intimidate enemies and woo potential mates. (ANI)
- Europe's biggest dinosaur skull found in Spain - Apr 04, 2012
- Baby dino footprints discovered near Denver - Nov 02, 2010
- Scientists solve dinos' tree-top eating riddle - Aug 05, 2012
- Newly discovered species of dinosaur bridges gap in dinosaur family tree - Apr 13, 2011
- 'Great-grandmother' of crocodiles that lived 225mn yrs ago found - Jan 14, 2011
- Triceratops, Torsaurus same dino at different stages of growth - Jul 15, 2010
- Scientists identify long lost cousin of T. rex in China - Apr 01, 2011
- Birds inherited sense of smell from dinos: Study - Apr 13, 2011
- Gigantic new turtle fossil discovered - Jul 12, 2012
- New giant horned dinosaur is actually an ancestor of Triceratops - Jun 16, 2010
- New dinosaur species found in China - Aug 29, 2010
- Fossils of oldest flying reptile found in Texas - Mar 02, 2011
- Fossil of new dinosaur species found in China - Oct 10, 2010
- Scientists discover T. Rex's feathered kin - Apr 08, 2012
- 200 mn years old skeleton of giant dinosaur discovered - Oct 31, 2010
Tags: craddock, curator, dinosaur, discovery news, fangs, hmns, houston museum of natural science, million years, museum of natural science, paleontologists, paleontology, rare skull, regulation of body temperature, reptile, robert bakker, self regulation, seymour texas, toy dinosaurs, vertical fin, willi