New Zimbabwean dinosaur species named by Museum scientist reveals Africa’s hidden history
Scientists have discovered a new dinosaur species, Musango matusadonaensis, in Zimbabwe, dating back 210 million years. The find helps fill gaps in the understanding of dinosaur evolution during the Late Triassic period in Africa.
Why it matters
African fossil sites are historically understudied, and this discovery provides critical data on how dinosaurs became the dominant species on Earth.
A newly discovered dinosaur is shining a light on an important moment in the evolution of dinosaurs.
Discovered on the shore of Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe, Musango matusadonaensis opens a window into the Late Triassic around 210 million years ago. This was the time dinosaurs were beginning to spread around the planet as they moved towards becoming Earth’s dominant animals.
Understanding how dinosaurs moved from being a relatively small part of life in the Triassic to a major part of the Jurassic and Cretaceous ecosystems that followed is still a major area of research. Fossils from Africa may hold the answer, as they have historically been understudied compared to sites in Europe and North America.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in