New dinosaur found in Sahara desert was a horned ‘hell heron’

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Paleontologists nonetheless know comparatively little about fin-backed Spinosaurid dinosaurs. But whereas the latest addition to the household is spectacular, Spinosaurus mirabilis isn’t making it simpler for researchers. In a examine printed right this moment within the journal Science, researchers on the University of Chicago describe S. mirabilis, a species that stalked present-day central Africa round 95 million years in the past. At first look, the dinosaur is immediately iconic. Its head crest is formed like a curved sword known as a scimitar, and measures 20 inches lengthy. However, the dinosaur’s total anatomy and Cretaceous stomping grounds showcase Spinosaurid’s sudden and interesting evolutionary end result.

“This find was so sudden and amazing, it was really emotional for our team,” said study co-author Paul Serano.

New scimitar-crested Spinosaurus species from the Sahara

S. mirabilis stands aside from its relations on account of the place paleontologists found their specimen. Serano’s group uncovered the primary fossil proof in 2019 whereas excavating a distant area of the central Saharan desert in Niger. Previous Spinosaurid specimens have all been present in historic coastal deposits close to prehistoric shorelines, however the first S. mirabilis bones have been situated far inland—someplace between 310 to 610 miles from the closest marine habitats. Given the close by presence of long-necked dinosaurs in river sediments, paleontologists now imagine this Spinosaurus lived in a forested area crisscrossed by waterways. According to Serano, it might have been a fearsome sight regardless of the place it lived.

“I envision this dinosaur as a kind of ‘hell heron’ that had no problem wading on its sturdy legs into two meters of water, but probably spent most of its time stalking shallower traps for the many large fish of the day,” he mentioned.

Based on the crest fossil’s internal vascular canals and exterior texture, the group theorizes that the cranial accent was doubtless housed in keratin and brightly coloured. They additionally contend S. mirabilis lastly places to relaxation the idea that Spinosaurus primarily lived and hunted in marine environments. Aside from the situation of its discovery, S. mirabilis is the primary dinosaur identified to own an interdigitating piscivorous (or “fish trap”) mouth. This anatomy contains a decrease jaw with enamel that protrude out between the higher set—a trait beforehand solely seen in flying pterosaurs, marine ichthyosaurs, and semiaquatic crocodilian predators. This additionally makes S. mirabilis the one Spinosaurid with the distinct dental association.

For as a lot as S. mirabilis contextualizes its wider dinosaur household, it raises many extra questions on its life, habitat, and position within the Cretaceous period. 

“I’ll forever cherish the moment in camp when we crowded around a laptop to look at the new species for the first time,” mentioned Serano. “That’s when the significance of the discovery really registered.”

 

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