In the sweeping deserts of modern Mongolia, fossilized evidence of a dinosaur unlike many others has emerged. This discovery, known as Natovenator polydontus, adds a new chapter to our understanding of how dinosaurs may have thrived in diverse ecological niches. A theropod, this dino stood out due to its sleek, streamlined body that experts believe was adapted for swimming, much like aquatic birds today. From its initial unearthing in 2008 to its formal description in 2022, Natovenator has sparked intrigue and curiosity among paleontologists.
This tiny predator was found in the Barun Goyot Formation in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia, dating back to the Late Cretaceous Period, a time when much of Earth’s life – and theropod dinosaurs in particular – were undergoing rapid evolution. With its presumed piscivorous diet and a build that hints at semi-aquatic habits, it might have been an efficient predator of fish or other small aquatic creatures. Let’s dive deeper into the remarkable discovery and the evolutionary story behind this swimming hunter.
Natovenator Key Facts
| Keyword | Fact |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | NA-toe-ve-nay-ter |
| Meaning of name | Swimming Hunter with Many Teeth |
| Group | Theropoda |
| Type Species | Natovenator polydontus |
| Diet | Carnivore/Piscivore |
| When it Lived | ~83 to 72 MYA |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Epoch | Campanian-Maastrichtian |
| Length | 2.3 feet |
| Weight | 0.66 pounds |
| Mobility | Moved on two legs |
| First Discovery | 2008, by the Korea-Mongolia International Dinosaur Expedition |
| Described by | 2022, by Sungjin Lee, Yuong-Nam Lee, Philip J. Currie, Robin Sissons, Jin-Young Park, Su-Hwan Kim, Rinchen Barsbold, and Khishigjav Tsogtbaatar |
| Holotype | MPC-D 102/114 |
| Location of first find | Hermiin Tsav, Nemegt Basin, Ömnögov, Mongolia |
Natovenator Origins, Taxonomy, and Timeline
The name Natovenator polydontus directly reflects the dinosaur’s suspected lifestyle. “Natovenator” comes from the Latin words “nato,” meaning “to swim,” and “venator,” meaning “hunter.” This name was chosen based on the dino’s possible semi-aquatic nature, which is suggested by its streamlined body. The species name, “polydontus,” translates to “many teeth,” indicating its numerous small, pointed teeth, which were likely ideal for catching slippery prey like fish. This combination of traits paints the picture of a small predator adapted to hunting in both terrestrial and aquatic environments.
Taxonomically, Natovenator falls under the group Theropoda, a diverse clade of bipedal, mostly carnivorous dinosaurs. Within Theropoda, it is part of the Dromaeosauridae family, known for its close relatives like Velociraptor. While many dromaeosaurids are considered land hunters, Natovenator adds a unique twist by seemingly exhibiting adaptations for life near or in water. Other closely related taxa, such as Halszkaraptor, have been grouped along with Natovenator within the (for now) small clade of Halszkaraptorinae, indicating a radiation of semi-aquatic dromaeosaurs within Late Cretaceous of Asia. The type species, Natovenator polydontus, stands alone without any recognized subspecies, at least for now.
Timeline-wise, Natovenator roamed the Earth during the Late Cretaceous Period. Although the precise age of the Barun Goyot Formation has been difficult to pin down, it appears to have been deposited close to the Campanian-Maastrichtian boundary, roughly around 72 million years ago. Although this is relatively late in the dinosaurian reign, it remained a critical time in Earth’s history when many dinosaur species were evolving to fill various ecological roles. The world then was vastly different, with diverse ecosystems ranging from dense forests to arid deserts and, possibly, shallow inland seas where Natovenator may have found its niche.
Discovery & Fossil Evidence
The journey to uncover Natovenator began in 2008 when researchers from the Korea-Mongolia International Dinosaur Expedition excavated a nearly complete skeleton in Mongolia’s Hermiin Tsav, located in the Ömnögovi Province. This area is well-known for its abundance of Late Cretaceous fossils, often revealing well-preserved dinosaur remains due to its arid environment. The fossil, labeled MPC-D 102/114, is the holotype for the species and includes significant parts of the animal’s skeleton.
The fossil itself is remarkable for its completeness and articulation, offering clues about Natovenator’s lifestyle. Key features, such as the shape of its ribs, suggest that it had a streamlined, possibly water-adapted body, setting it apart from most other theropods. So far, no additional specimens have been found, though the discovery of this nearly complete individual provides ample material for paleontologists to study its anatomy and ecology.
Interestingly, the fossil was well-preserved enough to reveal many small teeth, which further supports the idea that Natovenator was a specialized predator, likely hunting small aquatic prey. The delicate nature of the skeleton and its streamlined design are crucial pieces of evidence that suggest its semi-aquatic behavior.
Postcranial elements of Natovenator polydontus (MPC-D 102/114, holotype).
Hind limb and pedal elements of Natovenator polydontus (MPC-D 102/114, holotype)
Skull of Natovenator polydontus (MPC-D 102/114, holotype)
Sacrum and caudal vertebrae of Natovenator polydontus (MPC-D 102/114, holotype)
Natovenator polydontus (MPC-D 102/114, holotype).
Natovenator Size and Description
Natovenator was small but adapted for life near water. Its body was sleek and lightweight, with vertebrae and ribs that suggest a streamlined form perfect for gliding through water. The limbs, though capable of walking on land, were likely used for paddling when it needed to swim. The head was elongated, and its mouth was lined with sharp, numerous teeth—ideal for snapping up fish or small prey in the water.
This dinosaur moved on two legs, much like other theropods, and was likely quick and agile on land. However, its aquatic adaptations set it apart from its relatives. Its flexible body and long tail may have helped it maneuver swiftly through its watery environment, while its sharp teeth ensured it could effectively catch prey.
Size and Weight of Type Species
Measuring about 2.3 feet in length and weighing only 0.66 pounds, Natovenator polydontus was diminutive compared to many other dromaeosaurids. Its small size would have been an advantage in its aquatic lifestyle, allowing it to move quickly and efficiently through water without much resistance. While no estimates of its speed have been calculated, its light weight and streamlined body suggest it was built for agility rather than power.
Compared to some of its larger, land-based relatives, Natovenator polydontus was a compact predator. Its small stature doesn’t diminish its role in its environment; instead, it highlights its specialization as an aquatic hunter, preying on smaller creatures that may have been inaccessible to larger, more terrestrial carnivores.
The Dinosaur in Detail
What truly sets Natovenator apart from other theropods is its adaptation to a semi-aquatic lifestyle. The streamlined ribcage, in conjunction with the elongated and flexible neck, is similar to that seen in waterfowl today. Its shortened forelimb possibly also functioned to help propel it through the water. Taken together, this suggests a creature that was well-suited for both land and water. This adaptability likely made it a versatile hunter, able to exploit a range of prey species.
Natovenator also takes the prize for the theropod with the highest number of premaxillary teeth which, at thirteen, is higher than the eleven sported by its clademate Halszkaraptor – the previous record holder. Its many tightly packed and anteriorly enlarged teeth, as indicated by the apt species name polydontus, would have been a crucial tool for catching and eating fish, as well as other small aquatic creatures.
The discovery of Natovenator opens up new avenues of understanding about theropod diversity. While most theropods are known for their dominance on land, this small dinosaur shows that some members of this group adapted to very different environments. The presence of so many teeth also indicates that it may have been a highly efficient feeder, able to catch and consume prey with ease.
Notable specimens like MPC-D 102/114 are important for what they reveal about the staggering range of niches that theropod dinosaurs evolved to exploit – encompassing the land, waterways, trees and, ultimately, the skies. The fossil evidence suggests that Natovenator lived in areas rich in water, perhaps along riverbanks or coastal marshes, where it could thrive as an aquatic predator. This adaptability not only highlights its evolutionary success but also its unique place in the dinosaur lineage.
Contemporary Dinosaurs
In the rich tapestry of the Cretaceous Period, Natovenator prowled the waterways, a small but formidable predator with a unique aquatic hunting style. Amidst the lush landscapes, it shared its world with a variety of intriguing dinosaurs, each carving out their own niche.
One of its contemporaries was Pinacosaurus, an armored ankylosaur dinosaur whose robust defense mechanism set it apart from Natovenator. Unlike the semi-aquatic Natovenator, Pinacosaurus thrived on solid ground, its heavy armor serving as a shield against potential threats. With a diet focused on vegetation, this herbivore posed no significant danger to the small theropod, and their paths likely diverged in their respective ecological realms.
Another dinosaur navigating the same environment was Bagaceratops, a small ceratopsian known for its beak-like mouth adapted for consuming plants. Despite living in similar territories, the differences in diet and lifestyle between Bagaceratops and Natovenator would have limited their interactions, each dinosaur moving through their ecological niches with minimal overlap.
Gallimimus also raced across the Cretaceous landscape, a larger and speedier theropod distinguished by its swiftness. While Gallimimus, with its rapid pace and larger size, may have been a predator or omnivore, it occupied a different role compared to the specialized Natovenator. Its agility and different dietary preferences marked a clear distinction between the two.
In the same era, Gigantoraptor stood out as a massive theropod, whose size suggested a scavenging or omnivorous lifestyle. Although its sheer bulk and likely slower pace contrasted with Natovenator’s nimble, aquatic hunting, both dinosaurs navigated their world, each playing their unique role in the diverse and dynamic ecosystem of their time.
Interesting Points about Natovenator
- Aquatic Adaptation: Natovenator is one of the few known theropods that exhibits adaptations for a semi-aquatic lifestyle. Its streamlined body, orientation of its ribs, and long, flexible neck are strikingly similar to those of modern diving birds, suggesting that this dinosaur spent a significant amount of time in water. This adaptation is rare among theropods, which were typically more terrestrial.
- Feathered but Aquatic. Direct evidence of feathers on Natovenator has yet to be found. However all dromaeosaurids—its close relatives—were considered to be feathered. If Natovenator also had feathers, they likely played a role in thermoregulation or streamlining, perhaps functioning similarly to the feathers of modern waterfowl.
- Unique Hunting Style. The combination of densely-packed sharp teeth and a body built for swimming suggests that Natovenator was an agile predator. Specializing in catching fish or other small aquatic animals. This unique predatory niche would have allowed exploring food sources not readily available to larger or more terrestrial theropods.
- Evolutionary Significance: Natovenator provides valuable insight into the evolutionary diversity of theropods, especially within the dromaeosaurid family. Its semi-aquatic nature challenges the common perception of theropods as strictly terrestrial hunters and broadens our understanding of the ecological roles they played.
- Possible Convergent Evolution: The similarities between Natovenator and modern diving birds may be an example of convergent evolution—where unrelated species evolve similar traits to adapt to similar environments. This parallel between a small, feathered dinosaur and modern birds shows the deep evolutionary roots of avian adaptations to aquatic life.
Natovenator in its Natural Habitat
The environment Natovenator called home during the Late Cretaceous was far from the perma-dry expanse of the present-day Gobi Desert. In its time, the Nemegt Basin would have been a mosaic of short-lived lakes and rivers within an alluvial plain (flat land consisting of sediments deposited by highland rivers). The climate was likely semi-arid, with seasonal rains feeding temporary riparian and lacustrine zones. This provided an ideal habitat for semi-aquatic animals, including Natovenator. Adept at seamlessly transitioning from water to land and vice versa. Vegetation along these water bodies would have included ferns, conifers, and other prehistoric plants. Offering a complex landscape of cover and feeding grounds.
As a carnivorous piscivore, Natovenator likely relied heavily on aquatic prey like fish and small amphibians. Its streamlined body suggests it moved adeptly in water, similar to how modern birds like cormorants/shags swim. On land, it might have hunted smaller terrestrial creatures, perhaps young or weakened dinosaurs. The semi-aquatic nature of its life suggests that it was not a top predator but filled a specialized niche in the ecosystem. Allowing it to avoid direct competition with larger predators such as Tarbosaurus.
In terms of social behavior, Natovenator may have been more solitary than its land-bound counterparts. Its semi-reliance on aquatic habitats likely meant that it did not live in large herds or packs. However, small groups might have formed in more food-rich areas. The sensory abilities of Natovenator—especially its vision and possible sensitivity to vibrations in water—would have been key to its survival. Helping it detect prey beneath the surface and avoid becoming prey itself. Through its predatory habits, it may have played a role in shaping aquatic populations. Contributing to maintaining the balance within its ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
This dinosaur was a carnivore, specializing in piscivory, meaning it primarily fed on fish and small aquatic creatures.
It measured about 2.3 feet long and weighed approximately 0.66 pounds. Making it a relatively small dinosaur compared to many of its theropod relatives.
The first Natovenator fossil was discovered in the Nemegt Basin, Mongolia, in 2008 by the Korea-Mongolia International Dinosaur Expedition.
Natovenator is notable for its semi-aquatic lifestyle. Its streamlined body suggesting it spent significant time in the water, a rare trait among theropods.
It lived during the Late Cretaceous Period, roughly 72 million years ago, in what is now Mongolia.
While no direct evidence of feathers has been found, its close relatives within the dromaeosaurid family were feathered. Thus it is likely that Natovenator had feathers as well.
Sources
The information in this article is based on various sources, drawing on scientific research, fossil evidence, and expert analysis. The aim is to provide a comprehensive and accurate overview of Natovenator. However, please be aware that our understanding of dinosaurs and their world is constantly evolving as new discoveries are made.
Article last fact checked: Joey Arboleda, 09-18-2024
Featured Image Credit: Sungjin Lee, Yuong-Nam Lee, Philip J. Currie, Robin Sissons, Jin-Young Park, Su-Hwan Kim, Rinchen Barsbold & Khishigjav Tsogtbaatar, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
