Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 3 hrs ago
New Dinosaur Fossil Reveals Zimbabwe Had a Distinct Prehistoric Community
Researchers have named a new dinosaur species, Musango matusadonaensis, from fossils found in Zimbabwe.
It was a sauropodomorph, part of the group that later gave rise to long-necked dinosaurs such as Diplodocus.
The incomplete skeleton was found near Musango Island, beside the Nyamasango River.
Bone growth marks show Musango was a subadult; it walked on two legs and was about 4.5 metres long and 220 kilograms.
Its skull was not preserved, so its diet is unknown, although close relatives mostly ate plants.
The discovery suggests Zimbabwe had a distinct dinosaur community, rather than simply sharing the better-known species of South Africa.
Researchers suspect environmental conditions may explain the differences, and are investigating further.
A newly named dinosaur, Musango matusadonaensis, adds evidence that Zimbabwe had a distinct prehistoric dinosaur community.
The sauropodomorph was found in an incomplete skeleton on the bank of the Nyamasango River near Musango Island.
It walked on two legs, was about 4.5 metres long and weighed about 220 kilograms.
The researchers say Zimbabwe’s dinosaur species were not simply an extension of better-known South African faunas.
They suspect environmental conditions may help explain the regional differences.
- Who
- Musango matusadonaensis, a newly named sauropodomorph dinosaur, and the researchers studying Zimbabwean fossils.
- What
- The fossil provides evidence of a dinosaur community distinct from those known in South Africa.
- When
- Not stated
- Where
- On the bank of the Nyamasango River, close to Musango Island in Zimbabwe.
- Why
- The researchers suspect environmental conditions may explain the differences between Zimbabwean and South African dinosaur communities.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Dinosaur bones were reported in Zimbabwe.
Pioneering work by Geoffrey Bond and Michael Raath helped make Zimbabwean dinosaur fossils more widely known.
Researchers mounted an expedition to prospect fossil sites along Lake Kariba’s shoreline.
- Species
- Musango matusadonaensis
- Length
- About 4.5 metres
- Weight
- 220 kilograms
- Discovery location
- Bank of the Nyamasango River near Musango Island
- Expeditions
- 2017 and another expedition whose date is not stated