A dinosaur fossil that remained largely unnoticed in a museum collection for nearly a century has been identified as a previously unknown meat-eating species with large curved claws.
The dinosaur, named Invictibellatrix amberina, lived in what is now Britain around 120 million years ago and was roughly the size of a large tiger.
Researchers led by University College London (UCL) studied the fossil, which was originally found on the Isle of Wight. Their findings were published in Royal Society Open Science.
First Known European Megaraptoran
The researchers identified Invictibellatrix as the first known European member of the megaraptorans, a poorly understood group of two-legged carnivorous dinosaurs related to tyrannosaurs.
Unlike Tyrannosaurus rex, which relied heavily on its powerful jaws, megaraptorans had narrower heads, muscular arms, and large curved claws that they likely used to capture prey.
Some members of the group later evolved into enormous apex predators comparable in size to the largest tyrannosaurs.
Invictibellatrix, however, was one of the earliest and smallest known megaraptorans.
Its name translates to “unconquered female warrior,” referring to the group’s later rise as major predators.
Fossil Had Been in Museum Collection Since 1924
The discovery came from a fragment at the back of the dinosaur’s skull that entered the Natural History Museum’s collection in 1924.
The specimen remained largely overlooked for almost 100 years before researchers examined it in detail.
Lead author Dr. Cassius Morrison of UCL Earth Sciences estimated that the dinosaur measured around three to four meters long and stood slightly more than 1.5 meters tall.
It likely had feathers and claws measuring roughly 10cm to 20cm.
Researchers believe it preyed on small dinosaurs, mammals, and lizards, occupying a role in its ecosystem comparable to that of a modern hyena.
Could Have Been Dangerous to Human-Sized Prey
Morrison said that, although humans never lived alongside the dinosaur, a human-sized animal would have been suitable prey for Invictibellatrix.
He argued that the smaller predator could theoretically have posed more of a direct threat to humans than a T. rex, which would likely have considered a human too small to be worthwhile prey.
The comparison was used to illustrate the dinosaur’s likely hunting behavior rather than suggest humans ever encountered it.
Major Gap in Megaraptoran History Filled
Megaraptoran fossils are rare, leaving scientists uncertain about where the group originated and how it spread across the ancient world.
One theory proposes that megaraptorans first evolved in Asia, moved through Europe and later reached Gondwana, which included modern-day Africa, South America and Antarctica.
Until now, no megaraptoran fossils had been identified in Europe.
Co-author and UCL PhD student Charlie Scherer said the discovery provides the first evidence that megaraptorans were present in Europe and supports the idea that they reached Gondwana through this route rather than moving between islands farther south.
CT Scans Helped
Researchers used computed tomography scans to study the skull fragment without damaging it.
The scans allowed them to create a detailed 3D reconstruction of the fossil and digitally examine the space that once contained the dinosaur’s brain.
The team compared its anatomy with skulls and braincases from tyrannosaurs, spinosaurs, raptors, and other meat-eating dinosaurs.
Several unusual features helped distinguish it from known species, including an oval opening where the spinal cord connected to the brain and a distinctive hourglass-shaped crest.
Computer-based comparisons also repeatedly placed the fossil within the megaraptoran group.
Megaraptorans Later Became Giant Predators
The researchers also studied how megaraptorans spread and evolved over millions of years.
Their models combined fossil evidence, evolutionary relationships, ancient geography and prehistoric climate conditions.
The findings suggest megaraptorans were widely distributed during the Early Cretaceous but later disappeared from Laurasia, the northern landmass containing much of present-day North America, Europe and Asia.
In Gondwana, however, some evolved into enormous predators with curved claws reaching around 35cm.
One example, Maip macrothorax from present-day Argentina, is estimated to have reached nine to 10 meters in length and weighed about as much as an elephant.
Researchers do not know exactly why megaraptorans disappeared from northern regions. Climate changes, environmental shifts and competition with other large predators, including tyrannosaurs, may have played a role.
Fossil Was Collected by an Amateur Paleontologist
The fossil was originally collected by amateur paleontologist Reginald Walter Tooley near the base of a cliff on the southwestern coast of the Isle of Wight.
Tooley collected more than 1,000 fossils, which later became part of the Natural History Museum’s collection.
Professor Paul Barrett, the study’s senior author from the Natural History Museum, said the discovery shows that historically collected museum specimens can still contain important scientific finds even after decades of study.
The species name amberina refers both to amber found in the rocks where the fossil originated and to the female given name.
Researchers said the genus name was also intended to offer encouragement to people facing bullying, discrimination, victimization and oppression.
The discovery shows that even fossils collected generations ago can still reveal previously unknown species and provide new information about how prehistoric animals evolved and spread across the world.
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