A new type of small plant-eating dinosaur has been discovered in South Korea. This juvenile dinosaur, named Doolysaurus huhmini, lived around 113 to 94 million years ago during the mid-Cretaceous period.
Doolysaurus huhmini belongs to a group called thescelosaurids. These dinosaurs were bipedal and roamed East Asia and North America. Researchers noted that fossil evidence from Korea has been scarce. Before this discovery, only two dinosaur species were identified from the Late Cretaceous era in Korea: Koreaceratops hwaseongensis and Koreanosaurus boseongensis.
The fossils of Doolysaurus huhmini were found in 2023 within the Ilseongsan Formation on Aphae Island, located along the southwest coast. The skeleton includes skull bones, vertebrae, hind limbs, and many gastroliths—stones that help with digestion.
By using advanced X-ray micro-computed tomography, scientists were able to examine hidden anatomical features of the dinosaur. Doolysaurus huhmini likely had a fuzzy coat and was about the size of a turkey, although adults could grow to twice that size. Histological analysis indicates this individual was probably around two years old.
Paleontologist Professor Julia Clarke described it as “pretty cute,” resembling a little lamb. This makes it the first new dinosaur species found in Korea in 15 years, and it’s notable for being the first fossil discovered with parts of its skull.
When researchers first uncovered the specimen, they were thrilled to find more bones than expected, particularly leg bones and vertebrae. The presence of several gastroliths suggests that Doolysaurus huhmini might have had a more diverse diet, possibly omnivorous, contrary to previous beliefs about related dinosaurs. However, the team cautioned that current knowledge based on living birds introduces a degree of uncertainty about the diets of these ancient creatures.
This discovery is a significant breakthrough for paleontology in Korea. It opens the door to the possibility of more fossil finds, especially in sites like Aphaedo, where conditions may favor better preservation. The paper detailing the find highlights the rich dinosaur diversity in Cretaceous Korea that has yet to be fully explored.
For further reading, the research was published in the journal Fossil Record.
Overall, Doolysaurus huhmini offers a fresh glimpse into a time long past and showcases the ongoing discoveries in the fascinating world of dinosaurs.
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Aphae Island,Cretaceous,Diet,Dinosaur,Doolysaurus,Doolysaurus huhmini,Fossil,Gastrolith,Ilseongsan Formation,Korean Peninsula,Neornithischia,Omnivory,South Korea,Thescelosauridae
