Scientists have discovered a previously unknown dinosaur species with a distinctive “sail” along its back and tail, which may have been used for attracting mates. The fossil records of this iguanodontian dinosaur were discovered on the Isle of Wight and identified by Dr. Jeremy Lockwood, a Ph.D. student at the University of Portsmouth and the Natural History Museum. Dr. Lockwood named the species Istiorachis macaruthurae, a combination of “sail spine” and a tribute to Ellen MacArthur, who held the world record for the fastest solo non-stop sailing journey around the world in 2005.
Before Dr. Lockwood’s analysis, the fossils dating back 125 million years were thought to belong to known dinosaur species from the Isle of Wight. However, after comparing the preserved bones with a database of similar dinosaurs, it became clear that the fossil was unique. Dr. Lockwood noted that while the skeleton was not complete, the particularly long neural spines were unusual compared to other fossils.
The dinosaur likely had a prominent sail-like structure along its back. While the exact purpose of such features is debatable, with theories ranging from body heat regulation to fat storage, researchers believe that the most likely explanation in this case is visual signaling, possibly as part of a sexual display to attract a mate. In modern reptiles, sail structures are often more prominent in males, suggesting that these attributes evolved to impress mates or intimidate rivals. The researchers think Istiorachis may have been doing the same.
Prof. Susannah Maidment from the Natural History Museum praised Dr. Lockwood’s study, stating that his thorough examination of fossils that have been in museum collections for years has brought to life the iguanodontian dinosaurs of the Isle of Wight. She highlighted the importance of such collections, where fossil specimens are preserved for future study and revision with new data and ideas about evolution.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/aug/22/new-species-of-dinosaur-with-eye-catching-sail-discovered-on-isle-of-wight
