AI Image
Scientists discover first fruit-eating dinosaur
New York Post • • science
Key Points:
- Researchers have discovered Infernogallus jamesi, the first-known fruit-eating dinosaur, from the Cretaceous period, revealing a new dietary niche among theropods previously known mostly as carnivores.
- This turkey-sized dinosaur, found in the Hell Creek Formation, had specialized jaw muscles and beak features enabling it to chew fruit and separate seeds, adaptations previously seen only in turtles and parrots.
- The discovery links dinosaur diversity with the rise of flowering plants, suggesting Infernogallus played a role in seed dispersal similar to modern reptiles, small mammals, and birds.
- Infernogallus likely fed on various berries and drupes and probably had feathers, highlighting the adaptability and ecological variety of theropods during the Cretaceous.
- This finding broadens our understanding of dinosaur lifestyles and their interactions with evolving plant ecosystems around 66 million years ago.
