Headline:
New Jurassic Theropod Unveils the Past: Meet Alpkarakush kyrgyzicus, a Dinosaur with Unique ‘Brow’
Article:
In a thrilling discovery that is set to reshuffle our understanding of Jurassic theropods, scientists have unearthed a new species of dinosaur in Kyrgyzstan. Named Alpkarakush kyrgyzicus, this fascinating creature bears the distinction of being the first Jurassic theropod found in Western Asia, excluding China.
The A. kyrgyzicus is a distant cousin of the infamous Tyrannosaurus rex, and it sports an intriguing feature—a prominent ‘ridge’ on its postorbital bone, which lends it a distinctive look that makes it one of the most captivating finds from the Jurassic period.
The research, published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, details two individuals of A. kyrgyzicus. The adult specimen stretches up to 25 feet (8 meters) in length and tips the scales at over 2,750 pounds (1,250 kilograms). A smaller but significantly younger specimen, believed to be around 15-20% the size of the adult, was also discovered.
What’s more, the study suggests that these two individuals might have been related—possibly an adult and its juvenile offspring. The scientific team deduced this based on their association, suggesting that young Alpkarakush may have stuck close to their elders until reaching a certain level of maturity.
This discovery is deemed significant because it fills a major gap in our knowledge of Jurassic theropods, particularly in Central Asia. "This find provides crucial insights into the evolution and biogeography of these animals," remarks Oliver Rauhut, the lead author of the study and curator at the Bavarian State Collection for Paleontology and Geology.
The fossils were unearthed in the mountainous desert region near Tashkumyr, Kyrgyzstan. Excavations lasted from 2006 to 2023 due to the challenging terrain and the valuable state in which the fossils were found. The larger specimen was exceptionally well-preserved—nearly complete with hind legs, skull, and vertebrae intact.
Unique to A. kyrgyzicus are growth rings on its bones, which helped paleontologists determine the ages of the specimens. The adult was a sub-adult at least 17 years old, while the smaller one was a teenager—likely its offspring.
In a move to advance scientific understanding, the research team has made 3D models of all A. kyrgyzicus bones available online. This, as Oliver Wings, another study author and director of the Bamberg Natural History Museum, explained, "will enable researchers worldwide to conduct further research and create 3D prints."
