A newly identified dinosaur species, Foskeia pelendonum, is offering researchers a fresh perspective on ornithopod evolution. The small herbivore lived during the Early Cretaceous period and its fossilized remains were discovered in the Vegagete region of Burgos, Spain.
The discovery, published in Papers in Palaeontology on February 1, 2026, is particularly noteworthy because it challenges conventional understanding of dinosaur size and anatomy. Paleontologists often associate dinosaurs with massive stature, but Foskeia pelendonum was remarkably small.
Researchers Identify Foskeia pelendonum
The initial discovery of at least five individuals representing different growth stages, first reported in 2016, was informally dubbed the “Vegagete ornithopod.” Researchers refrained from assigning a formal name at that time due to the incomplete nature of the fossil record. However, the unearthing of additional cranial elements and advanced μCT scanning allowed for a formal description of the new genus and species in 2026.
The genus name, Foskeia, is derived from the Ancient Greek words φῶς (light) and βόσκειν (to forage), a nod to the dinosaur’s small size and presumed herbivorous diet. This finding is significant as it provides valuable insights into the diversity of dinosaur life during the Early Cretaceous period.
Characteristics of Foskeia pelendonum
Foskeia pelendonum was diminutive, measuring only about half a meter in length – roughly the size of a modern chicken. This makes it one of the smallest ornithopod dinosaurs discovered to date. However, its size isn’t the only remarkable feature.
Researchers were surprised by the complexity and development of its skull. “Miniaturization did not imply evolutionary simplicity — this skull is weird and hyper-derived,” noted Dr. Marcos Becerra, a paleontologist at the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. The front bones of the skull were fused, and its front teeth sloped forward rather than standing upright. One of its lower jaw teeth was particularly slender.
the jaw joint was positioned higher than expected, and the attachment points for jaw muscles were elongated, suggesting a unique chewing mechanism. “Here’s not a ‘mini Iguanodon,’ it is something fundamentally different,” said Dr. Tábat Zanesco Ferreira, a paleontologist at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. “Its anatomy is weird in precisely the kind of way that rewrites evolutionary trees.”
As detailed in research led by Paul-Emile Dieudonne from the Universidad Nacional de Rio Negro in Argentina, the skull exhibits unexpected anatomical innovations. Researchers believe this unique anatomy could potentially reshape our understanding of herbivore evolutionary relationships.
The dinosaur possessed specialized teeth adapted for consuming plants and may have also been capable of high-speed movement through dense forests. These characteristics have fueled further scientific interest in its anatomy.
Adaptability of Foskeia pelendonum
Despite its small size, Foskeia pelendonum demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt to its environment. Researchers have identified its closest relative as Muttaburrasaurus, an Australian dinosaur. This connection, revealed through recent evolutionary modeling, places Foskeia pelendonum within the Rhabdodontomorpha group.
Revising the Evolutionary Framework
When integrated into broader evolutionary datasets, the position of Foskeia pelendonum became clearer than previous findings. Its classification within Rhabdodontomorpha and its relationship to Muttaburrasaurus strengthens the link between European and Gondwanan ornithopods.
This analysis may shift the understanding of certain lineages within Ornithischia, with some herbivore groups potentially changing positions. The research also supports the concept of Phytodinosauria, which proposes that herbivorous dinosaurs form a natural evolutionary group.
The discovery of Foskeia pelendonum is a surprising one, as its size deviates from the typical image of a dinosaur. This unique herbivore has captured the attention of scientists, prompting a closer examination of its characteristics and evolutionary significance. As described in Sci.news on February 2, 2026, the fossilized remains were collected from the Vegagete site in Burgos province, Spain. “Foskeia pelendonum helps fill a 70-million-year gap, a small key that unlocks a vast missing chapter,” said Dr. Thierry Tortosa, a paleontologist at the Sainte Victoire Natural Reserve.
