January 24, 2001 11:00

ROCK DINOSAUR!

Boffins name a raptor after the Dire Straits guitar legend...

ROCK DINOSAUR!

MARK KNOPFLER has been immortalised as a true dinosaur of rock, with boffins naming a raptor after the DIRE STRAITS frontman.

According to the Sun today (January 24), the six-foot predator was dubbed Masiakasaurus Knopfleri - which translates as "vicious lizard of Knopfler" - because Dire Straits music brought them luck while they were digging in Madagascar.

"It's not meant to offend Mark or Dire Straits," said Scott Sampson of the Utah Natural History Museum. "It seemed like whenever we played him we found more of the skeletons."

Knopfler responded: "I am really delighted, this is a very special honour. The fact that it's a dinosaur is really apt, but I'm happy to report that I'm not the least bit vicious."

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