New long-clawed dinosaur species identified from century-old fossil in museum drawer

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Published October 15, 2026 1:36 PM PDT

FILE - An artist’s illustration of the new theropod dinosaur, Invictibellatrix amberina (centre of the image), in its ecosystem on the Isle of Wight, United Kingdom in the Early Cretaceous (around 120 million years ago). (Credit: Sergey Krasovskiy an

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The Brief

    • Scientists identified a new long-clawed dinosaur species from a fossil found on the Isle of Wight.
    • Named Invictibellatrix amberina, it lived in Britain about 120 million years ago and grew up to four meters long.
    • The discovery provides the first evidence that megaraptorans lived in Europe.

Researchers at the University College London have discovered a new species of dinosaur. 

The fossil of a new long-clawed predator was discovered on the Isle of Wight and acquired by the Natural History Museum in 1924, but it had been overlooked for study until now.

New species of megaraptorans found

Dig deeper:

The discovery, which was published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, is believed to be the first of its kind to be found in Europe, according to a university news release. 

Named Invictibellatrix amberina, this new species, though related to the Tyrannosaurus rex, is smaller, more agile and has giant curved claws and large arms. 

The dinosaur is believed to have lived during the early cretaceous period, which was about 120 million years ago. 

Scientists said that while it was not the apex predator of its time, had it been around the same time as humans, it would have been more dangerous than the T. rex. Humans would have been "perfectly sized prey." 

What they're saying:

"They definitely would have chased us. A T. rex would not have bothered, as we would have been too small," lead study author, Dr. Cassius Morrison, said. 

Origins in Asia 

The backstory:

The dinosaur is believed to have originated in Asia before it migrated through Europe. 

It evolved into an apex predator and occupied parts of present-day Africa, South America and Antarctica. 

"This new species is the first proof we have that megaraptorans were also present in Europe and that they reached Gondwana this way rather than island-hopping further south," said co-author of the study and Ph.D. student at UCL Earth Science, Charlie Scherer. 

The Source: Information for this article was taken from a University College London news release based on the study about the recent discovery. This story was reported from San Jose. 

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