(Zaragoza, Spain / Torres Vedras, Portugal, Friday, April 4, 2025). The rich paleontological heritage of the Lusitanian Basin has just expanded with the discovery of a previously unknown species of iguanodontian dinosaur that lived in what is now Portugal nearly 150 million years ago. This finding, which involved paleontologists from the Aragosaurus-IUCA research group at the University of Zaragoza, represents a significant advance in our understanding of dinosaur diversity at the end of the Jurassic period.
The analysis, recently published in the prestigious journal Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, was led by the NOVA School of Science and Technology in collaboration with the University of Zaragoza (Spain). Several key Portuguese research institutions contributed to the study, including the Sociedade de História Natural de Torres Vedras and the Museu da Lourinhã, which house the fossil material, as well as the Universidade de Lisboa. The research team also included members from international institutions such as the Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED, Spain) and the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (Belgium).
The study is based on specimen SHN.JJS.015, held at the Sociedade de História Natural de Torres Vedras, which has been identified as a herbivorous dinosaur belonging to the iguanodontian group. A detailed examination of the fossil confirmed that it does not match any known species, expanding the diversity of European dinosaurs.
“It was a surprise,” says Dr. Filippo Maria Rotatori, lead author of the study. “We thought this group of dinosaurs was already well documented in the Late Jurassic of Portugal, but this discovery shows there is still much to learn and that exciting findings may yet come. Unfortunately, due to the limited material recovered, we cannot yet assign a formal scientific name to the species.”
Beyond its uniqueness, the dinosaur also stands out for its size. “It was a heavyweight,” notes Dr. Fernando Escaso, co-author and professor at UNED. “When we estimated its size and body mass, we found it was significantly bulkier than other iguanodontians like Draconyx or Eousdryosaurus, with which it most likely shared its ecosystem.”
“In addition to the main specimen, more fossil remains have been found at other sites in the region, including smaller isolated femora, suggesting that these dinosaurs were relatively common in Portugal during the Late Jurassic,” explains Bruno Camilo, doctoral student and director of the Sociedade de História Natural de Torres Vedras. “This is the first time we’ve found different age groups of this type of dinosaur in Portugal, opening up new research possibilities.”
The discovery further underscores Europe’s role in the evolutionary and migratory history of dinosaurs. “This animal shares many similarities with other iguanodontian species found in North America and other parts of Europe,” says Dr. Filippo Bertozzo of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. “During the Jurassic, the Iberian Peninsula likely played a key role in faunal exchanges between continents. We are still working to understand how these processes unfolded.”
“This research was made possible thanks to the collaboration of several European institutions and local organizations dedicated to preserving Portugal’s geological and paleontological heritage,” adds Dr. Miguel Moreno-Azanza of the University of Zaragoza.
This discovery confirms the Lusitanian Basin as a key territory for paleontological research, continually providing valuable insights into the ancient ecosystems of the Iberian Peninsula. Ongoing excavations and research projects have scientists optimistic that further discoveries will continue to shed light on Europe’s Jurassic past.
Article reference:
Rotatori, F. M., Escaso, F., Camilo, B., Bertozzo, F., Malafaia, E., Mateus, O., Mocho, P., Ortega, F., & Moreno-Azanza, M. (in press). Evidence of large-sized ankylopollexian dinosaurs (Ornithischia, Iguanodontia) in the Upper Jurassic of Portugal. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology.