Full Breakdown
New Megaraptoran Species Unveiled from Century-Old London Fossil
By Drooid · · How we work
Identification of Invictibellatrix amberina
The fossil, a fragment of a skull, was re-examined with high-resolution CT scanning and 3D modelling. The analysis revealed distinctive features that place the specimen within the megaraptoran clade, a group previously known only from Asia, Australia and South America. Researchers estimate the animal measured 3–4 metres (10–13 feet) in length and stood about 1.5 metres (5 feet) tall. Its slender head, large arms and curved claws suggest a predatory lifestyle, likely preying on small dinosaurs, lizards and mammals.
From Isle of Wight Cliff to Museum Shelf
Amateur fossil hunter Reginald Walter Tooley discovered the fragment at the foot of a cliff on the southwest coast of the Isle of Wight in the early 20th century. After Tooley’s death in 1924, the Natural History Museum acquired more than 1,000 specimens from his collection, including the skull piece. The fragment remained unidentified for decades despite being recognized as dinosaur material.
Research Team and Analytical Methods
The study was led by Dr Cassius Morrison, researcher in the Earth Sciences department at University College London, and senior author Professor Paul Barrett of the Natural History Museum. Using CT scans, the team visualized internal structures and generated a detailed 3D model, enabling precise taxonomic placement. Their full findings were published in *Royal Society Open Science* in 2026.
Significance for Europe’s Dinosaur Record
Invictibellatrix amberina expands the known geographic range of megaraptorans to Europe, confirming that these large predators were more widespread than previously thought. While not the apex predator of its ecosystem, the species likely occupied a niche comparable to modern hyenas, hunting smaller vertebrates. The researchers also note the possibility of feathered integument, though its exact appearance remains uncertain.
Verbatim Quote
“Despite over 200 years of collecting, the Isle of Wight continues to surprise us with new dinosaur species, and finds of carnivorous dinosaurs, such as Invictibellatrix, have been particularly elusive.” — Paul Barrett, professor