Oklahoma student uncovers new dinosaur species from fossil purchase

In 2020, Kyle Atkins-Weltman, a PhD candidate in paleo-ecology at Oklahoma State University, purchased $5,000 worth of dinosaur bones from a private dealer for a class project. Initially believing the bones belonged to a juvenile Anzu wyliei, he later discovered they represented a new species, which he named Eoneophron infernalis, or 'Pharaoh's dawn chicken from hell.' This smaller dinosaur, measuring about 3 feet tall and weighing between 150 and 160 pounds, was found in the Hell Creek Formation, a region known for its rich dinosaur fossil deposits. Atkins-Weltman's research, aided by Dr. Eric Snively and Dr. Holly Woodward-Ballard, revealed that the bone structure indicated it was not a juvenile Anzu, but a distinct species. The discovery highlights the potential for uncovering more undiscovered dinosaur species from the late Cretaceous period, suggesting that many early dinosaur finds may benefit from modern paleohistology techniques. Atkins-Weltman is the first student from Oklahoma State to publish a peer-reviewed paper on a new dinosaur species, marking a significant achievement in his academic career and contributing to the field of vertebrate paleontology.