KANAZAWA, Ishikawa Pref. (Kyodo) Fossils discovered in Ishikawa Prefecture have been determined to be that of a new species of plant-eating dinosaur, the local municipality said Monday.
The fossils, found in a layer of earth dating from the early Cretaceous Period dating to around 130 million years ago, are the fourth set of a new dinosaur species to be unearthed in Japan and believed to be among the oldest. The finds are expected to help experts map the evolution of herbivorous dinosaurs.
With an estimated length of about 130 cm and a head measuring around 10 cm, the dinosaur is believed to be a new species of ornithischian that had short forelegs and walked on two hind legs.
Named Albalophosaurus yamaguchiorum after two local residents who coincidentally share the same surname of Yamaguchi and have contributed to fossil research in the area, the discovery was announced Wednesday in the journal of the U.S. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology.
The fossils will go on display at the local museum Hakusan Dinosaurs Park Shiramine from Saturday through Oct. 25, the city said.