LOS ANGELES (AP) — A remarkable discovery at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles has unveiled Gnatalie, a unique dinosaur specimen whose bones are distinctly green, a rarity in the world of paleontology.
Gnatalie, named after the gnats that surrounded its excavation, belongs to a new dinosaur species characterized not only by its long neck and tail but also by its unusual dark-mottled olive green coloration, attributed to the mineral celadonite during the fossilization process.
According to museum officials, celadonite, typically found in volcanic or hydrothermal settings, replaced earlier minerals in Gnatalie’s bones some 50 to 80 million years ago. This phenomenon is uncommon as such conditions often destroy buried bones, making green fossils exceptionally rare compared to the more common brown or black hues caused by silica or iron minerals.
Dating back 150 million years to the late Jurassic Era, Gnatalie predates even the well-known Tyrannosaurus rex, which roamed the earth 66 to 68 million years ago. The discovery of Gnatalie’s bones occurred in 2007 within the Utah Badlands, marking a significant find in paleontological history.
Luis M. Chiappe, from the museum’s Dinosaur Institute, expressed enthusiasm about Gnatalie’s role in education and scientific discovery, stating, “Dinosaurs are a great vehicle for teaching our visitors about the nature of science, and what better than a green, almost 80-foot-long dinosaur to engage them in the process and reflect on the wonders of our world!”
Matt Wedel, an anatomist and paleontologist at Western University of Health Sciences, recalled hearing rumors of a green dinosaur during his graduate studies. Upon seeing Gnatalie’s bones during cleaning, Wedel remarked, “They were not like anything else that I’ve ever seen.”
Similar in structure to sauropod species like Diplodocus, Gnatalie’s discovery promises to expand scientific knowledge. Scheduled for publication in a scientific paper next year, this finding positions Gnatalie as a centerpiece in the museum’s dinosaur collection, set to be showcased this fall in a new welcome center.
John Whitlock, a sauropod researcher at Mount Aloysius College, highlighted the significance of Gnatalie’s well-preserved skeleton. “It’s tremendously huge, adding to our understanding of both taxonomic and anatomical diversity,” Whitlock noted.
Recently named through a public vote, “Gnatalie” emerged victorious over other options like Verdi, Olive, Esme, and Sage, reflecting its unique green hue and the public’s fascination with this extraordinary specimen.
Gnatalie’s arrival at the Natural History Museum promises to captivate visitors and scientists alike, offering a rare glimpse into the ancient world of dinosaurs and the ongoing marvels of paleontology.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
