Chapter 1: Overview of Dinosaur Discoveries in 2021

The year 2021 was remarkable for paleontology, witnessing a surge in dinosaur discoveries, with over 35 new species being identified. This influx of findings is part of a broader trend that has seen the number of new dinosaur species being described consistently increase since the start of the 21st century. Many of these newly discovered dinosaurs exhibit unusual traits that challenge our understanding of these ancient creatures.

In the sections that follow, we will examine each new species in alphabetical order, providing details such as estimated size, classification, diet, age, and discovery location.

Are you ready to explore? Let’s dive in!

Arackar licanantay

• Estimated Size: 6.3 m / 21 ft (juvenile)
• Family: Lithostrotia (sauropods)
• Diet: Herbivore
• Age: 83.6–66 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: Chile

Arrudatitan maximus

• Estimated Size: 15 m / 49 ft
• Family: Aeolosaurini (sauropods)
• Diet: Herbivore
• Age: 72.1–68 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: Brazil

Australotitan cooperensis

• Estimated Size: 25–30 m / 82–98 ft
• Family: Diamantinasauria (sauropods)
• Diet: Herbivore
• Age: 100–90 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: Australia

Berthasaura leopoldinae

• Estimated Size: <1 m / <3.2 ft
• Family: Noasauridae
• Diet: Omnivore/Herbivore
• Age: 120–110 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: Brazil

Brighstoneus simmondsi

• Estimated Size: 8 m / 26 ft
• Family: Hadrosauriformes
• Diet: Herbivore
• Age: 126.5 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: England

Ceratosuchops inferodios

• Estimated Size: 8.5 m / 27.8 ft
• Family: Spinosauridae
• Diet: Piscivore / Carnivore
• Age: 128 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: England

Dzharatitanis kingi

• Estimated Size: 15–20 m / 49–65 ft
• Family: Neosauropoda (sauropods)
• Diet: Herbivore
• Age: 92–90 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: Uzbekistan

Hamititan xinjiangensis

• Estimated Size: 21 m / 69 ft
• Family: Titanosauria (sauropods)
• Diet: Herbivore
• Age: 120 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: China

Issi saaneq

• Estimated Size: 4 m / 13 ft
• Family: Plateosauridae
• Diet: Herbivore
• Age: 225 million years ago (Triassic)
• Country: Greenland

Khulsanurus magnificus

• Estimated Size: <1 m / 3.2 ft
• Family: Alvarezsauridae
• Diet: Insectivore/Omnivore
• Age: 83–72 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: Mongolia

Kuru kulla

• Estimated Size: 2 m / 6 ft
• Family: Dromaeosauridae
• Diet: Carnivore
• Age: 72–71 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: Mongolia

Kurupi itaata

• Estimated Size: 5 m / 16 ft
• Family: Abelisauridae
• Diet: Carnivore
• Age: 70–66 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: Brazil

Llukalkan aliocranianus

• Estimated Size: 4–4.6 m / 13–15 ft
• Family: Abelisauridae
• Diet: Carnivore
• Age: 86–83 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: Argentina

Menefeeceratops sealeyi

• Estimated Size: 4–4.6 m / 13–15 ft
• Family: Ceratopsidae
• Diet: Herbivore
• Age: 83.5–80 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: USA

Menucocelsior arriagadai

• Estimated Size: 8 m / 26 ft
• Family: Titanosauria (sauropods)
• Diet: Herbivore
• Age: 70–66 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: Argentina

Napaisaurus guangxiensis

• Estimated Size: 5 m / 15 ft
• Family: Iguanodontia
• Diet: Herbivore
• Age: 120–100 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: China

Nevadadromeus schmitti

• Estimated Size: 2 m / 6 ft
• Family: Thescelosaurinae
• Diet: Herbivore
• Age: 85–76 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: USA

Ninjetitan zapatai

• Estimated Size: ≈20 m / 65 ft
• Family: Titanosauria (sauropods)
• Diet: Herbivore
• Age: 140–130 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: Argentina

Ornatops incantatus

• Estimated Size: 7–9 m / 23–30 ft
• Family: Saurolophinae
• Diet: Herbivore
• Age: 78 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: USA

Papiliovenator neimengguensis

• Estimated Size: 2 m / 6.5 ft
• Family: Troodontidae
• Diet: Carnivore
• Age: 83.6–72.1 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: China

Parrosaurus missouriensis

• Estimated Size: 9–10 m / 30–35 ft
• Family: Hadrosauroidea
• Diet: Herbivore
• Age: 83–72 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: USA

Pendraig milnerae

• Estimated Size: 1 m / 3.2 ft
• Family: Coelophysoidea
• Diet: Carnivore
• Age: 215–201 million years ago (Triassic)
• Country: Wales

Portellsaurus sosbaynati

• Estimated Size: 5.7–8 m / 18.7–26 ft
• Family: Hadrosauroidea
• Diet: Herbivore
• Age: 130–129 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: Spain

Riparovenator milnerae

• Estimated Size: 7.7 m / 25 ft
• Family: Spinosauridae
• Diet: Piscivore / Carnivore
• Age: 128 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: England

Rhomaleopakhus turpanensis

• Estimated Size: 20–25 m / 65–82 ft
• Family: Mamenchisauridae
• Diet: Herbivore
• Age: 155 million years ago (Jurassic)
• Country: China

Shri devi

• Estimated Size: 2 m / 6.5 ft
• Family: Dromaeosauridae
• Diet: Carnivore
• Age: 72–71 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: Mongolia

Sierraceratops turneri

• Estimated Size: 4.5 m / 14.7 ft
• Family: Ceratopsidae
• Diet: Herbivore
• Age: 80–66 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: USA

Silutitan sinensis

• Estimated Size: >20 m / >65 ft
• Family: Euhelopodidae (sauropods)
• Diet: Herbivore
• Age: 120 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: China

Sinocephale bexelli

• Estimated Size: 3 m / 9.8 ft
• Family: Pachycephalosauridae
• Diet: Herbivore
• Age: 92 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: China

Smitanosaurus agilis

• Estimated Size: 17 m / 55 ft
• Family: Dicraeosauridae (sauropods)
• Diet: Herbivore
• Age: 155–145 million years ago (Jurassic)
• Country: USA

Spicomellus afer

• Estimated Size: 3 m / 9.8 ft
• Family: Ankylosauria
• Diet: Herbivore
• Age: 168–164 million years ago (Jurassic)
• Country: Morocco

Stegouros elengassen

• Estimated Size: 1.8–2 m / 5.9–6.6 ft
• Family: Parankylosauria
• Diet: Herbivore
• Age: 74.9–71.7 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: Chile

Tamarro insperatus

• Estimated Size: 1.1 m / 3.5 ft
• Family: Troodontidae
• Diet: Carnivore
• Age: 67.6–66 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: Spain

Tlatolophus galorum

• Estimated Size: 8 m / 26 ft
• Family: Lambeosaurinae
• Diet: Herbivore
• Age: 73–72.5 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: Mexico

Ulughbegsaurus uzbekistanensis

• Estimated Size: 7.5–8 m / 25–26 ft
• Family: Carcharodontosauria
• Diet: Carnivore
• Age: 94–89 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: Uzbekistan

Vectiraptor greeni

• Estimated Size: 2–3 m / 6.6–9.8 ft
• Family: Eudromaeosauria
• Diet: Carnivore
• Age: 125 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: England

Yamatosaurus izanagii

• Estimated Size: 7 m / 23 ft
• Family: Hadrosauridae
• Diet: Herbivore
• Age: 71.94–71.69 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: Japan

Ypupiara lopai

• Estimated Size: 2–3 m / 6.6–9.8 ft
• Family: Dromaeosauridae
• Diet: Carnivore
• Age: 70–66 million years ago (Cretaceous)
• Country: Brazil

In addition to this summary, you can learn more about the latest discoveries in the field of paleontology through these videos:

This video from the Natural History Museum highlights Five New Dinosaur Species Discovered in 2021, showcasing their unique features and the significance of these findings in our understanding of dinosaurs.

Watch this engaging video titled 9 Most Recent Discoveries About Dinosaurs! to gain insight into the latest advancements and findings in dinosaur research.

Relevant Reads:

• Further exploration into dinosaur paleontology.
• The impact of new species on our understanding of evolution.