Back in 2015,
Paleontologists reported to have discovered what they believed to be fossils of
a creature related to the Tyrannosaurus Rex except the difference between the
two is that this newly discovered creature is a vegetarian and much smaller
than the T-Rex. The find was first reported in an abstract article posted
on Nature.com [1] but more details were reported by Livescience.com.
Back in 2010 the first fossils of the animal were discovered by then seven year
old Diego Suarez, the son of two geologists. The find was called Chilesaurus
diegosuarez by the researchers to express their patriotism for their nation
and in honor of their child who discovered the fossils. The first fossil
evidences of Chilesaurus were a just a few vertebrate fossils, but later, more
complete skeletons were found revealing the dinosaur to be a conglomeration of
different groupings of dinosaurs. The Live Science article
described the more complete fossil specimens as follows:
…the dinosaurs' ilium,
the upper, large part of the pelvic bone, looks like that of a theropod.
It also had robust forelimbs and likely walked on its hind legs, like other
theropods...Chilesaurus also had small skull, long neck, and large, clunky feet
reminiscent of a sauropodomorph...Moreover Chilesaurus had a pubic bone that
looks like that of an ornithischian." [2]
Dinosaurs have been
divided into six basic groups: Theropods, Sauropods, Ornithischians,
Ceratopsians, Stegosaurids, and Ankylosaurids. All depicted
as separate branches on the dinosaur evolutionary tree, the
Chilesaurus possesses characteristics from at least three of the groups,
placing it in the classification of either mosaic or chimeric creatures that is
a class of animals possessing characteristics from different kinds of animals,
especially from animals bearing no resemblance to each
other. As is the case with other chimeric creatures, it is
unclear as to what group of dinosaurs Chilesaurus is related from an
evolutionary perspective, but from a creationist point of view, it
should be no surprise that such anomalies are discovered whether they
be extinct or living creatures because chimeric creatures serve as a
testimony to a Creator who has demonstrated His ability to create a
variety of different and unique creatures.
Chilesaurus may not have
any relation to any of the known dinosaur branches, but because it appears to
strongly resemble the Tyrannosaurus more so than other known dinosaurs, is it
possible we could be looking at an uncorrupted predecessor to some of the known
carnivorous dinosaurs?
The book of Genesis
states that before sin, death, and the curse, all the animals and man were
created to be vegetarian. (Gen. 1:29-30) The discovery of the
Chilesaurus specimen may lend credence to the theory that the
animals, before entrance of sin, death, and the curse, may not have
possessed the defensive and offensive characteristics that they might have
later acquired after the sin of man due to the curse upon the creation as
a result. (Rom. 8:19-23) Because of sin the Lord may
have seen it necessary to allow the genetic code of his creatures to be
manipulated in a way for their offspring acquire the defensive and
offensive traits so as to ensure the survival of the species, knowing that the
effects of sin would result in the death, violence, and adversity we
witness today throughout the creation. But one day, the scriptures
state that the corrupted decaying creation will one day be replaced with a
creation and a world untouched by sin, death, and decay (Is. 65:17, 66:22, 2
Pet. 3:13, Rev. 21-22) and in which all that which presently causes grief,
sorrow, suffering, fear, and every other form of adversity and hardship
experienced will also be absent. (Rev. 22) That also means that there
will not be any dangerous animals present in the new world to come
either. It is impossible to truly imagine what such a world is like
because we have never had the privilege of experiencing a world that is pure
and perfect and where death is not present, but the redemptive work that will one
day be made manifest throughout the entire creation (Rom. 8:23) began with our
Lord Jesus Christ who came to earth as God in the flesh (Jn. 1:14); a sinless
man offering Himself up to receive the punishment for sin on behalf of sinful
humanity (Rom. 5:8) who could never live up to the unattainable standard
of moral perfection established by our Creator and without the saving
power of Christ, have nothing to look forward to except eternal separation from
their Creator and an eternity of punishment, (Rom. 3:23, 6:23) but
because of Christs' death on our behalf and His resurrection by which
He conquered death, the work of redemption has already transpired in those who
have chosen to repent of and turn away from their sin and place their trust in Christ
as their Savior, making Him to be Lord and King over their lives and who will
one day have the privilege of experiencing what purity really is and what it is
to live in a world that is free of corruption.
End Notes:
1. Fernando E. Novas, Leonardo Salgado, Manuel Suárez, Federico L. Agnolín,
Martín D. Ezcurra, Nicolás R. Chimento, Rita de la Cruz, Marcelo P. Isasi,
Alexander O. Vargas & David Rubilar-Rogers,"An enigmatic
plant-eating therapod from the Late Jurassic period of Chile," Nature 522,
pgs. 331-334, June 18, 2015
2.
Laura Geggel, Senior Editor, "Bizzare Cousin of T. Rex Was a
Vegetarian," Live Science, April 27, 2015
Scripture references:
1. Genesis 1:29-30
2. Romans 8:19-23
3. Isaiah 65:17
4. Isaiah 66:22
5. 2 Peter 3:13
6. Revelation 21-22
7. Revelation 22
8. Romans 8:23
9. John 1:14
10. Romans 5:8
11. Romans 3:23
12. Romans 6:23
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