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Dragon Discovered in Romania

Claudiu Padurean

A partial skeleton of “Balaur bondoc”, which means “stocky dragon” and is a new genus of the family Dromaeosauridae, was found in Romania in September 2009, approximately 1.5 miles north of Sebes along the Sebes River. It was discovered by the geologist and paleontologist (one who studies dinosaurs) Matyas Vremir of the Transylvanian Museum Society of Cluj Napoca, who then sent the remains to Zoltan Csiki of the University of Bucharest for analysis. The particular dinosaur was found in an area that, roughly 70 million years ago, was mostly scattered islands, which most likely resulted in its most signature features. In its isolated evolution, Balaur developed not one, but two large sickle-like talons on each foot that could be hyper-extended, unlike its inland relatives. Over 20 other characteristics unique to the Balaur genus have been described, including short, stocky feet and legs, large muscle attachment areas on the pelvis, fused bones, and a small, possibly vestigial (small, nonfunctioning) third digit on the hand. The ‘island effect’, usually resulting in a giant or pygmy size, is rather evident in the Balaur genus, not in great or tiny stature, but its highly specialized features.

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