Chicken-sized dinosaur with ‘flamboyant’ fur mane and stiff ribbons projecting from its shoulders discovered

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Ubirajara jubatus, which lived about 110 million years ago, had elaborate plumage including a long fur mane and stiff ribbons projecting from its shoulders. Professor Martill said: “What is especially unusual about the beast is the presence of two very long, probably stiff ribbons on either side of its shoulders that were probably used for display, for mate attraction, inter-male rivalry or to frighten off foes. “Given its flamboyance, we can imagine that the dinosaur may have indulged in elaborate dancing to show off its display structures.” Mr Smyth said that the dinosaur’s plumage might have improved its chances of survival. It represents a revolution in dinosaur communication, the effects of which we can still see today in living birds.” Ubirajara jubatus is closely related to the European Jurassic dinosaur Compsognathus – one of the smallest known dinosaurs, which was a fast runner with a long neck and tail, strong hind limbs and small forelimbs.