New dinosaur species, a T. rex cousin that "would have chased us," identified from fossil found 100 years ago

Key Points:

• A new dinosaur species named Invictibellatrix amberina, a long-clawed predator related to Tyrannosaurus rex, has been identified from a fossil found nearly 100 years ago but only recently studied.
• Invictibellatrix, a megaraptoran carnivore about 10-13 feet long and 5 feet tall with feathers, used its long arms and curved claws to hunt smaller dinosaurs, lizards, and mammals during the Early Cretaceous period around 120 million years ago.
• The fossil, a portion of the back of a skull, was discovered on the Isle of Wight in 1924 and remained overlooked in the Natural History Museum in London until its recent CT scan and 3D modeling revealed unique features justifying classification as a new species.
• Lead researcher Dr. Cassius Morrison noted that although Invictibellatrix was not the apex predator of its time, it would have posed a significant threat to humans, potentially more dangerous than a T. rex due to its hunting behavior and size.
• The dinosaur's name, meaning "unconquered female warrior," was chosen to symbolize hope and strength for those facing bullying, discrimination, and oppression, inspired by the amber found in the fossil's surrounding rock.