Infernogallus Jamesi Unveiled As A Turkey-Sized Herbivore
Researchers have described a new dinosaur species that walked North America approximately 66 million years ago, weighing about 12 kilograms and measuring roughly 1.5 meters in length. Named Infernogallus jamesi, or the “hell chicken,” the creature possessed no teeth and featured a beak adapted for crushing soft food. The study was published in Nature Communications.
Unearthed in July 2011 within the Hell Creek Formation across Montana and North Dakota, the animal belonged to the theropod group, which includes predatory dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus rex alongside birds and plant-eating species. An outside paleontologist cautioned the case for fruit-only eating is not a slam dunk.
Jaw And Beak Adaptations Point To A Fruit-Heavy Diet
Three distinct features of the jaw and beak led researchers to conclude that the dinosaur ate fruit and other soft plant matter. The jaw muscle arrangement allowed forward and backward movement, a mobile joint permitted sliding, and a system of ridges and grooves on the beak helped mash food.
“These features are found today separately in birds and turtles that feed on soft food, but no living animal has all three adaptations simultaneously,” said lead study author Greg Funston, a paleontologist at Stony Brook University in New York.
The creature lived in a subtropical coastal lowland alongside well-known dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, and Ankylosaurus. Scientists believe its diet consisted largely of berries, fleshy fruits, and the yields of angiosperms—flowering plants that produce seeds enclosed within fruits.
Angiosperm Evolution Expands Understanding Of Dinosaur Diets
Angiosperms emerged approximately 130 to 140 million years ago and gradually overtook landscapes previously dominated by gymnosperms like conifers and ginkgoes. Direct evidence that specific dinosaur groups specialized in consuming these fruits had previously been missing from the fossil record.
“The discovery of Infernogallus shows that dinosaur diets were likely much more diverse than we previously thought,” said study co-author Thomas Dudgeon from the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto.
Researchers suggest that dinosaurs may have played a role in spreading the seeds of these flowering plants across the ancient landscape. However, whether Infernogallus or its relatives actively contributed to the distribution of large fleshy fruits remains unclear without further evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Infernogallus Jamesi
When and where were the fossils of Infernogallus jamesi discovered?
The fossils were unearthed in July 2011 within the Hell Creek geological formation located in the American states of Montana and North Dakota.
What physical characteristics defined this newly described dinosaur?
Infernogallus measured approximately 1.5 meters long, weighed about 12 kilograms, and featured a toothless beak equipped with ridges, grooves, and specialized jaw joints for crushing soft plant material.
What do scientists still need to confirm regarding its ecological role?
Researchers require additional evidence to confirm whether Infernogallus or its close relatives actively helped disperse the seeds of flowering plants across their subtropical lowland habitat.
Worth a look