The discovery of Alnashetri cerropoliciensis, one of the smallest known alvarezsaurid dinosaurs, challenges previous theories about dinosaur miniaturization. Unlike its relatives thought to be specialized ant-eaters, this 90-million-year-old predator appears to have actively hunted insects and small mammals. The find suggests evolutionary miniaturization in dinosaurs was more complex than a simple adaptation for ant-eating.
Background
Alvarezsaurids were previously thought to have evolved small body sizes specifically for ant-eating specialization, with adaptations like single oversized thumb claws for digging. This discovery challenges that linear evolutionary narrative.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- Mar 8, 2026 at 07:30 PM
- Score
- 6.0 / 10