New Two-Fingered Dinosaur Species Discovered in Mongolia

Duonychus tsogtbaatari, a therizinosaur with unique claws, provides fresh insights into dinosaur evolution and specialized feeding behaviors.

Duonychus tsogtbaatari, a newly identified therizinosaur species, was officially described in the journal iScience, marking a significant paleontological discovery.
The dinosaur, unearthed in Mongolia's Gobi Desert, is the first therizinosaur known to have only two fingers instead of the typical three.
Exceptionally preserved fossils include keratin sheaths on its claws, making them the largest three-dimensional dinosaur claws ever found.
Researchers suggest the dinosaur's claws were adapted for grasping vegetation, pulling down branches, and potentially for defense or display.
The discovery highlights the Gobi Desert's importance as a fossil-rich site and advances understanding of digit reduction and evolutionary adaptations in theropods.