| last updated: Friday 3 July 2009, 17:20pm |  Print this page |
Meet Banjo, one of three new dinosaurs
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Scientists have discovered three new dinosaurs after examining fossils found in Australia.
The remains of one carnivore and two plant-eating dinosaurs date back 98 million years.
The meat eater is described as larger than the Velociraptor from the Jurassic Park movies and the 'cheetah of his time'.
It has been called Australovenator but nicknamed Banjo after an Australian poet.
Scott Hocknull, lead author of the dinosaur discovery, said: 'Banjo was light and agile. He could run down most prey with ease over open ground.
'His most distinguishing feature was three large slashing claws on each hand. Unlike some theropods that have small arms - like T Rex - Banjo was different.'
He added: 'His arms were a primary weapon. He's Australia's answer to Velociraptor, but many times bigger and more terrifying.'
The two plant-eating dinosaurs are called Wintonotitan and Diamantinasaurus and nicknamed Matilda and Clancy.
Wintonotitan was a tall animal which may have fitted into a giraffe-like niche, while the stocky Diamantinasaurus was more hippo-like.
Australia's dinosaur fossil record has been extremely poor compared with North America, South America and Africa. The latest finds suggest Australia may have a more complex prehistoric past.
Hocknull said hundreds more fossils from the dig were still to be prepared and there was more material to be excavated.
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