New Dinosaur Species Uncovered in Korea: Doolysaurus huhmini Marks a Significant First

A groundbreaking discovery has introduced a new species of small, plant-eating dinosaur, Doolysaurus huhmini, identified from the partial skeleton of a juvenile found in the Republic of Korea. This fossil marks a significant milestone: it is the first new dinosaur species found in Korea in 15 years, and notably, the first Korean dinosaur fossil to include portions of its skull.

Doolysaurus huhmini roamed what is now Korea during the mid-Cretaceous period, approximately 113 to 94 million years ago. It has been classified within the thescelosaurid group, a lineage of bipedal neornithischian dinosaurs known from the Cretaceous periods of both East Asia and North America.

The fossil represents the first new dinosaur species found in Korea in 15 years and the first Korean dinosaur fossil to include portions of its skull.

Discovery and Analysis

The fossilized remains were unearthed in 2023 from the mid-Cretaceous Ilseongsan Formation on Aphae Island, situated on the southwestern coast of the Korean Peninsula. The specimen provides an invaluable glimpse into this ancient creature, encompassing skull bones, vertebrae, hind limbs, and numerous gastroliths—stones swallowed to assist digestion.

Researchers employed advanced X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) to reconstruct the intricate internal anatomical details of the dinosaur, providing unprecedented insight into its biology. Analysis indicates the discovered individual was remarkably young, estimated to be around two years old, and approximately the size of a modern-day turkey. It is believed that adult Doolysaurus huhmini could have reached up to twice that size.

Unveiling Dietary Insights

One of the most compelling aspects of this discovery lies in the presence and characteristics of the gastroliths. These stones suggest that Doolysaurus huhmini may have had a more omnivorous diet than previously hypothesized for closely related dinosaurs. This finding is a crucial contribution to understanding dietary strategies within early-diverging neornithischian groups, potentially reshaping existing theories.

Implications for Korean Paleontology

This discovery underscores the immense potential for further skeletal finds in Korea, particularly at paleontological sites like Aphaedo. These locations may offer unique preservation conditions, differing from those that have previously yielded the country's abundant trace fossils. The findings of this significant research were published in the journal Fossil Record.