Find the perfect fossil of ostrich-like dinosaurs

Researchers have found a nearly complete skeleton of this dinosaur named Corythoraptor jacobsi in the town of Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, China. A special feature is that they have many similarities with the crested ostrich - a large, flightless bird that lives in northeastern Australia and New Guinea.

One of the striking similarities between the two species is the large and prominent bone crest on the top of the head. It is thought that its crest also has the same task as the current crested ostrich's crest, which is for communication and may be a sign of fertility.

The researchers also noted their other similarities such as long, slender necks and ostrich-like bodies.

New dinosaur species discovered.(Photo: Zhao Chuang).

With a height of 1.68 meters this dinosaur can stand up quickly. They have three sharp claws on each foot to hunt. The animal is believed to have lived between 66 million and 100 million years ago in the late Cretaceous - the last era of dinosaurs. This is the only dinosaur that is a bit related to the species that live today on Earth.

Meanwhile, the ostrich's evolutionary history is about 30 million years ago. This is also a proof that they are related to newly discovered dinosaurs.

The new discovery not only helps clarify this particular period in the past but also proves that creatures that have appeared in the past may have a connection with the present.

According to the researchers, the discovery of Corythoraptor jacobsi has complemented the richness and diversity of dinosaurs excavated in Cam Chau ever. This area is known for dinosaur fossils that died from being stuck in mud, some of which have feathers.

This finding has been published in Scientific Reports.