Fossil X-ray reveals new baby dinosaur species named Doolysaurus

Micro-CT scans uncovered a juvenile dinosaur fossil on Aphae Island that researchers named Doolysaurus huhmini; the specimen preserved skull bones and gastroliths and was described in Fossil Record on March 19.

Researchers used high-resolution micro-CT scanning to reveal a juvenile dinosaur skeleton encased in hard rock from Aphae Island, South Korea. The scan exposed skull parts and other bones that were not visible on initial inspection. The team named the new species Doolysaurus huhmini and published the description in the journal Fossil Record on March 19. The species name refers to a well-known Korean cartoon character and honors paleontologist Min Huh. Key details: - The fossil was discovered in 2023 by researchers at the Korean Dinosaur Research Center and is estimated to have been about two years old when it died. - Micro-CT imaging at the University of Texas High-Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography facility revealed skull bones and many additional elements still encased in rock. - Researchers classified the specimen as a thescelosaurid that lived in the mid-Cretaceous, roughly 113–94 million years ago. - The fossil contained dozens of gastroliths (stomach stones), and the juvenile was about the size of a turkey; an adult may have reached roughly twice that size. - This is reported as the first new dinosaur species described from Korea in 15 years and the first Korean dinosaur fossil found with portions of its skull. Summary: The discovery adds to Korea's limited record of body fossils and demonstrates how micro-CT can reveal delicate bones inside hard rock. Authors report that colleagues trained in CT analysis are applying the method to more Korean fossils, and some researchers plan further fieldwork on Aphae Island to look for additional specimens.