A new species of British dinosaur has been scientifically described more than two decades after its fossils were discovered in Surrey. Named Paludohadros proudlovii, this plant-eating dinosaur lived approximately 125 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous. The fossils were excavated from a brickworks in 2001 and subsequently donated to the Natural History Museum in London. A detailed examination of the fossil material has revealed that the specimen represents a previously unrecognised species of iguanodontian dinosaur.

The discovery also has a poignant human story. The dinosaur has been named in honour of a former quarry manager who died shortly before the fossils were unearthed.

Skull reconstruction: Shaded areas represent material present in the holotype. Abbreviations: ar, articular; ba, basioccipital; d, dentary; f, frontal; j, jugal; orb, orbit; pa, palpebral; par, paraoccipital process; pd, predentary; pf, prefrontal; pm, premaxilla; q, quadrate; qj, quadratojugal; s, surangular; sq, squamosal, stf, supratemporal fenestra. Scale bar equals 10 cm. Picture credit: Sacamoto et al.

Picture credit: Sacamoto et al

Paludohadros proudlovii – A New Iguanodontian Dinosaur

Paludohadros proudlovii belonged to the Iguanodontia, a diverse group of predominantly herbivorous ornithopod dinosaurs. Famous members of this group include Iguanodon and Mantellisaurus. These dinosaurs are often associated with distinctive thumb spikes and adaptations for processing tough vegetation.

The newly named dinosaur was discovered at the Ewhurst brick and roof tile works, also known as Smokejacks Brickworks, in Surrey. Its fossils come from the Weald Clay Formation, deposited when much of southern England consisted of wetlands, rivers and muddy floodplains.

Predentary in left lateral (A), anterior (B) and ventral (C) views. Abbreviations: d, denticle; fo, foramen; vp, ventral process. Scale bar equals 5 cm. Picture credit: Sacamoto et al.

Picture credit: Sacamoto et al

The genus name reflects this ancient environment. It incorporates the Latin word “palus”, meaning swamp.

The specimen was approximately five metres long and is estimated to have weighed between 1.5 and two tonnes. However, examination of its bones suggests that it had not reached skeletal maturity when it died. A fully grown adult could potentially have been substantially larger.

Identifying in situ skull bones. Picture credit: Tim Burgess (Wienerberger Ltd).

Picture credit: Tim Burgess (Wienerberger Ltd)

A Dinosaur Named in Honour of Will Proudlove

The species name “proudlovii” honours Will Proudlove, who worked at the Ewhurst brickworks and eventually became its manager. Will had a keen interest in fossils and was fascinated by the possibility of discovering prehistoric animals as successive layers of clay were removed from the quarry. Sadly, he died aged just 35, shortly before the dinosaur was excavated.

His wife Rachael and their two young children, Ellie and Matt, were invited to see the fossil excavation in 2001. More than twenty-five years later, the family has learnt that the fossils represent an entirely new type of dinosaur. The naming of Paludohadros proudlovii provides a lasting tribute to Will and his enthusiasm for natural history.

Will Proudlove with his children Ellie and Matt. Picture credit: The Proudlove Family.

Picture credit: The Proudlove Family

Did Paludohadros Live Alongside Baryonyx?

Intriguingly, the fossils of Paludohadros were discovered approximately a hundred metres from the location where the famous theropod dinosaur Baryonyx walkeri was found in 1983. Baryonyx was a large, predominantly fish-eating predator characterised by an elongated snout, conical teeth and enormous claws on its hands. However, fossil evidence indicates that fish were not its only food source. Remains of a juvenile iguanodontian were discovered in association with the original Baryonyx specimen.

The newly described iguanodontian Paludohadros proudlovii in the foreground. In the background a Baryonyx wades through a shallow lake. The fossils of Paludohadros were found within a hundred metres of the Baryonyx walkeri holotype. Picture credit: Guilherme Gehr.

Picture credit: Guilherme Gehr

Professor Susannah Maidment, a senior author of the new study, explained that the identity of this young dinosaur remains uncertain.

Professor Maidment commented:

“Paludohadros was found just 100 metres away from Baryonyx, whose fossils we also look after at the Natural History Museum. While Baryonyx is best known for eating fish, this dinosaur’s last meal also included a baby iguanodontian. We can’t tell for certain which species this came from, so it’s possible that Baryonyx could have been scavenging on the remains of young Paludohadros or even hunting them when it had the opportunity.”

It is possible that Baryonyx occasionally hunted juvenile Paludohadros or scavenged their carcasses. However, there is currently insufficient evidence to establish a direct predator-prey relationship between these two dinosaurs. Nevertheless, their discoveries provide a fascinating insight into the dinosaur communities that inhabited southern England during the Early Cretaceous.

More British Dinosaurs Awaiting Discovery

For many years, numerous iguanodontian fossils from southern England were assigned to familiar genera such as Iguanodon and Mantellisaurus. More detailed anatomical studies have challenged these traditional classifications. Recent research has resulted in the naming of several additional British iguanodontians, including Brighstoneus, Comptonatus and the distinctive sail-backed Istiorachis.

To read Everything Dinosaur’s article about the discovery of Brighstoneus: New Iguanodontid from the Isle of Wight.

Everything Dinosaur’s article from 2024 highlighting the discovery of Comptonatus: Comptonatus – Another New Ornithopod from the Isle of Wight.

The scientific description of Paludohadros proudlovii adds to this growing diversity.

Ellie Proudlove, daughter of Will, being shown the dinosaur during its excavation from the quarry. Picture credit: Tim Burgess (Wienerberger Ltd) and used with permission from Ellie Proudlove.

Picture credit: Tim Burgess (Wienerberger Ltd) and used with permission from Ellie Proudlove

Our 2025 post about the discovery of Istiorachis macarthurae: New Sail-backed Iguanodontid Described.

The research was led by Ricardo Sacamoto, a PhD student associated with the Natural History Museum and the University of São Paulo. The team identified distinctive anatomical characteristics in the teeth, jaws and limb bones that support the establishment of the new genus and species.

Further examination of museum collections has already identified additional fossils attributable to Paludohadros, including material originally collected during the 1950s.

Sacamoto intends to continue studying the Natural History Museum’s extensive iguanodontian collections as part of his doctoral research.

There may be more previously unrecognised dinosaur species waiting to be identified.

The discovery of Paludohadros proudlovii demonstrates the enduring scientific importance of natural history collections. Sometimes, discovering a new dinosaur does not require another expedition into the field. Instead, the next remarkable discovery could already be sitting in a museum drawer.

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges that assistance of a media release from the London Natural History Museum in the compilation of this article.

The scientific paper: “A new iguanodontian dinosaur from the Weald Clay Formation (Lower Cretaceous) of Smokejacks Brickworks, southern England” by Ricardo J. Sacamoto, Jeremy A. F. Lockwood, Max C. Langer, Brett Clark, Paul M. Barrett, Alice Turner and Susannah C. R. Maidment published in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology.

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Models Including British Prehistoric Animal Figures.

A tiny fossil discovered in Scotland a hundred years ago has prompted scientists to reconsider the evolution of flying insects. New research led by scientists from the Natural History Museum in London suggests that flying insects may have evolved as much as eighty million years later than previously thought. The findings challenge a long-established interpretation of one of the world’s oldest arthropod fossils and demonstrate how modern scientific techniques can transform our understanding of prehistoric life.

Rhynie Chert fragment with inset Rhyniognatha highlighted and confocal microscopy models. Picture credit: Emma Long.

Picture credit: Emma Long

The fossil, named Rhyniognatha hirsti, was discovered in 1926 in the famous Rhynie Chert deposits of northern Scotland. These remarkable deposits preserve evidence of a Devonian wetland ecosystem dating back approximately 408 million years. The exceptional preservation of fossils from this location has provided palaeontologists with invaluable information about some of the earliest terrestrial ecosystems.

To read an article from earlier this year highlighting the significance of the Rhynie Chert deposits: Fossils Provide a Remarkable Insight into Devonian Ecosystems.

A Tiny Fossil with Enormous Scientific Significance

The fossil of Rhyniognatha hirsti consists of part of the head of a tiny arthropod. Measuring less than one millimetre in length, this extraordinary specimen was largely overlooked for decades as researchers concentrated on other fossils recovered from the Rhynie Chert.

However, a scientific study published in 2004 dramatically changed the importance of this tiny fossil. Researchers identified similarities between its mouthparts and those of modern winged insects. Consequently, Rhyniognatha was interpreted as the oldest known representative of the winged insect lineage.

This identification had profound implications for understanding insect evolution. If Rhyniognatha belonged to the winged insect lineage, the evolutionary origins of flying insects must have extended back to at least the Early Devonian, approximately 400 million years ago.

Rhyniognatha fossil chip viewed under light microscope. Picture credit: Emma Long.

Picture credit: Emma Long

The fossil subsequently became an important reference point for researchers attempting to reconstruct the evolutionary relationships of insects, including the ancestors of modern dragonflies, bees and crickets.

Advanced Microscopy Challenges an Established Theory

Despite its scientific significance, questions remained about the true identity of Rhyniognatha hirsti. Some researchers suggested that the fossil might represent an ancient relative of centipedes rather than an insect. To investigate these competing interpretations, scientists led by the Natural History Museum undertook a detailed re-examination of the specimen using advanced confocal microscopy.

This technique uses precisely focused laser light to examine structures within a specimen. It allows scientists to produce detailed digital reconstructions and distinguish anatomical features that can be extremely difficult to interpret using conventional light microscopy.

The research team concentrated on the fossil’s jaws, particularly the arrangement of their joints. These structures are important because differences in mouthpart anatomy can help palaeontologists distinguish between major arthropod groups.

Their investigation revealed that the jaw joints of Rhyniognatha do not correspond precisely with those found in modern flying insects or centipedes.

Rhyniognatha confocal microscopy models. Picture credit: Emma Long.

Picture credit: Emma Long

As a result, the researchers concluded that there is insufficient evidence to confidently assign this ancient arthropod to either group.

Rethinking the Evolution of Flying Insects

The implications of this discovery extend far beyond the identification of a single fossil.

For more than two decades, Rhyniognatha hirsti has been used as a calibration point in evolutionary studies. By combining fossil evidence with genetic information from living organisms, scientists can estimate when different groups shared their last common ancestors.

However, these calculations depend upon fossils being correctly identified and placed within the appropriate evolutionary lineages. If Rhyniognatha cannot reliably be classified as an insect, it should no longer be used to establish a minimum age for the evolution of winged insects.

Dr Emma Long, the study’s lead author, explained that the re-examination suggests Rhyniognatha is probably not an insect at all. Removing this fossil from evolutionary calculations could shift estimates for the origins of flying insects forward by as much as eighty million years.

Importantly, this does not establish an exact date for the first appearance of insect flight. Instead, it removes a previously influential piece of evidence supporting a much earlier evolutionary origin.

The findings therefore encourage scientists to reconsider when insects acquired wings and how the development of flight influenced the diversification of terrestrial ecosystems.

Museum Fossils Continue to Reveal New Secrets

This remarkable discovery also highlights the enduring scientific value of museum collections. Although Rhyniognatha hirsti was collected in 1926, modern microscopy has enabled scientists to examine its anatomy in ways that would have been impossible when the fossil was first discovered.

Dr Greg Edgecombe, a co-author of the study and Merit Researcher at the Natural History Museum, emphasised the importance of applying new analytical techniques to historical specimens.

Dr Edgecombe stated:

“Revisiting old fossils with new technology allow us to see them in a new light, and Rhyniognatha is no exception. By using advanced microscopy techniques, we were able to digitally separate the fossil to see its key features in greater detail than ever before.”

Museum collections preserve an enormous wealth of scientific information. As technology advances, fossils collected many decades ago can provide fresh evidence and challenge established interpretations. For instance, this new research has changed our understanding with regards to the evolution of flying insects.

The re-examination of Rhyniognatha demonstrates that even the smallest fossils can have an enormous influence on our understanding of evolutionary history.

For palaeontologists, the research is also an important reminder that scientific interpretations are continually tested and refined as new evidence becomes available.

The multi-award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Prehistoric Animal Replicas.