**Mantellisaurus: A Unique Dinosaur**
Mantellisaurus is a type of dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous Period, around 130 to 120 million years ago. This dinosaur roamed what is now Europe, with fossils found in places like Belgium, England, Spain, and Germany. The specific species, Mantellisaurus atherfieldensis, was named after the village Atherfield on the Isle of Wight, where the first fossils were discovered.
**Discovery History**
The first fossil of Mantellisaurus was found in 1914 by a scientist named Reginald Walter Hooley. He initially named it Iguanodon atherfieldensis in 1925. However, in 2007, researcher Gregory Paul created a new name, Mantellisaurus, as he believed it was different from the original Iguanodon and more similar to another dinosaur called Ouranosaurus.
**Physical Features**
Mantellisaurus was a relatively small dinosaur for its time, weighing around 750 kilograms, similar to a large modern-day rhinoceros. Unlike its relative Iguanodon, the forelimbs of Mantellisaurus were shorter compared to its hind limbs. This build suggests that Mantellisaurus was often on its two back legs (bipedal), possibly only going on all fours for balance or when moving slowly.
**Additional Discoveries**
Several other notable fossils related to Mantellisaurus have been found over the years. One important find was in Belgium, where a nearly complete skeleton was mounted for display in 1884. This specimen was initially thought to belong to Iguanodon but was later assigned its own name, Dollodon bampingi, by Gregory Paul in 2008.
In another case, fossils were discovered in Germany, showing a wide variety of iguanodont-related remains. Mantellisaurus fossils have also been found in Spain, highlighting its widespread presence.
**Fascinating Facts**
The name Mantellisaurus honors Gideon Mantell, who was one of the early dinosaur discoverers and a pioneer in the field of paleontology. The discovery of Mantellisaurus has helped scientists understand more about the evolution and characteristics of iguanodont dinosaurs.
Overall, Mantellisaurus is a remarkable example of the diverse and fascinating life forms that once roamed our planet millions of years ago.