New ‘Sail-Backed’ Dinosaur Unearthed On The Isle Of Wight

A remarkable new dinosaur with a dramatic sail running down its back and tail has been officially named and described — right here on the Isle of Wight.

The plant-eating dinosaur, now known as Istiorachis (meaning “sail-spine”), lived around 125 million years ago on the lush floodplains that once covered the south-west of the Island.

Closely related to the famous Iguanodon, the discovery paints an even richer picture of the prehistoric world beneath our feet.

The fossil was first found by the late Nick Chase, a much-loved local fossil hunter whose discoveries have helped put the Isle of Wight on the global palaeontology map.

It has now been formally described by Island-based scientist Dr Jeremy Lockwood, who published his findings this week.

“This animal had a distinctive sail or crest along its back and tail,” explained Dr Lockwood.

“It may have been used for display — perhaps to attract mates, or to warn off rivals — much like a peacock’s feathers today.”

The rare find is now proudly on display at Dinosaur Isle Museum in Sandown, where visitors can see it up close.

Dr Simon Penn, the museum’s conservator, said the discovery opens up exciting new questions:

“The sail could have had many functions, from communication to temperature regulation. It gives us a fascinating glimpse into how these dinosaurs lived.”

Museum curator Dr Martin Munt added:

“This is another incredible addition to the Island’s fossil record. It deepens our understanding of Early Cretaceous life and shows that the ecosystem was far more complex than we once thought.”

Istiorachis is the fourth medium-sized Iguanodontian dinosaur to be identified on the Island — and remarkably, it’s the ninth new species described from the museum’s collection in just the past six years.

The discovery cements the Isle of Wight’s reputation as one of Europe’s leading fossil hotspots, attracting visitors and experts from across the world.

You can see Istiorachis at Dinosaur Isle Museum.