New Dinosaur Found in Portugal Expands the Diversity of the Iberian Jurassic Park

A research team from the NOVA School of Science and Technology | NOVA FCT, in partnership with Spain’s Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, has unveiled the discovery of a new species of iguanodontian dinosaur that roamed Portugal nearly 150 million years ago. This exciting find offers valuable insights into the diversity of dinosaur species during the Late Jurassic period.

Their findings, recently published in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, are based on the analysis of specimen SHN.JJS.015, currently preserved at the Sociedade de História Natural de Torres Vedras. The fossil was identified as a plant-eating dinosaur from the iguanodontian group. Detailed analysis revealed that the specimen does not correspond to any known species, suggesting an even greater variety of dinosaur life in Europe than previously recognized.

“It came as a surprise,” said Filippo Maria Rotatori, lead author of the study and researcher at GEOBIOTEC, NOVA FCT. “We had assumed the diversity of this dinosaur group was already well-established in the Late Jurassic of Portugal. However, this discovery highlights that there is still much to uncover, and more exciting revelations could be on the horizon. Unfortunately, the limited fossil material prevents us from officially naming the species at this time.”

What sets this dinosaur apart, in addition to its novelty, is its impressive size. “It was a massive creature,” noted Fernando Escaso, co-author and professor at UNED. “Our size and weight estimates show that this new species was considerably larger than other known iguanodontians like Draconyx or Eousdryosaurus, which likely shared the same habitat.”

Bruno Camilo, a PhD student at Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, and director of Ci2Paleo at the Sociedade de História Natural de Torres Vedras, added, “Alongside the primary specimen, other fossils—including smaller, isolated femurs—have been found in nearby sites. This suggests these dinosaurs were fairly common in Portugal during the Late Jurassic. Notably, this is the first time we’ve uncovered remains from different age groups of this species in the region, opening the door to exciting new research opportunities.”

The discovery also highlights Europe’s importance in the evolutionary and migratory patterns of dinosaurs. “This dinosaur exhibits notable similarities to other iguanodontian species discovered in North America and various parts of Europe,” said Filippo Bertozzo of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. “During the Jurassic period, the Iberian Peninsula likely served as a key route for animal migration between continents. We’re still piecing together the details of how these exchanges occurred.”

Miguel Moreno-Azanza from the University of Zaragoza added, “This research was made possible through the cooperation of numerous European institutions and local organizations committed to safeguarding Portugal’s geological and paleontological legacy.”

Alongside NOVA FCT and Spain’s Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, the study involved leading Portuguese research centers such as the Sociedade de História Natural de Torres Vedras and the Museu da Lourinhã, both of which preserve the analyzed specimens. The project also included researchers from the University of Lisbon, the University of Zaragoza, and the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, underscoring its wide international collaboration.

This finding reinforces the importance of the Lusitanian Basin as a vital site for paleontological exploration, consistently offering new perspectives on the prehistoric ecosystems of the Iberian Peninsula. Continued excavations and research efforts are expected to yield additional discoveries that will deepen our knowledge of the Jurassic era.