New species of dinosaur with ‘eye-catching sail’ discovered on Isle of Wight

An artist’s impression of an Istiorachis macarthurae, identified by a a retired GP turned PhD student. Photograph: James Brown/PA

Scientists have discovered a new species of dinosaur with an “eye-catching sail” along its back and tail that may have been used to attract mates.

The iguanodontian dinosaur, whose fossils were found on the Isle of Wight, was identified by Dr Jeremy Lockwood, a PhD student at the University of Portsmouth and the Natural History Museum.