A 210 million years old dinosaur species discovered in Zimbabwe

Scientists have identified a previously unknown dinosaur species that roamed present-day Zimbabwe around 210 million years ago, with researchers saying the discovery is reshaping understanding of early dinosaur evolution in Africa.

The newly named species, Musango matusadonaensis, is the fifth dinosaur species to be formally identified in Zimbabwe.

The discovery was published in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology.

The fossil was excavated near Lake Kariba, close to Matusadona National Park, from rocks dating back to the Late Triassic period.

Researchers recovered a remarkably well-preserved partial skeleton, including vertebrae, ribs, limb bones and parts of the hip and shoulder girdles.

Although the skull was missing, scientists said the remaining bones clearly showed it belonged to a previously unknown species.

The dinosaur measured about 4.5 metres in length and weighed approximately 222 kilograms.

It belonged to the early sauropodomorph group, the ancestors of giant long-necked dinosaurs such as Diplodocus and Brachiosaurus.

Scientists believe it walked on two legs and was likely herbivorous or omnivorous.

Professor Paul Barrett said the discovery challenges previous beliefs about dinosaur life in southern Africa.
“Until recently, it was assumed that the dinosaurs living across southern Africa were largely the same.

However, these discoveries are showing that this part of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana was actually made of a series of smaller ecosystems — each with a different cast of characters.”

Professor Jonah Choiniere added:
“New dinosaur species like Musango matusadonaensis show the value of doing paleontological fieldwork in remote, and often scenically beautiful, places.”

Researchers also found evidence suggesting the dinosaur had suffered a serious injury or infection before it died.

Professor Barrett believes many more discoveries are still waiting to be made around Lake Kariba.

“The discovery suggests that what we’ve found so far is only the tip of the iceberg. We’ve already got one other new species that we’ve yet to describe, while our team has been told about other fossils from the region that we’ve yet to look at. I think it’s likely there are even more dinosaurs still to be found there.”

The fossil was first spotted during expeditions in 2017 and 2018, with scientists using a houseboat as a floating research base to access remote fossil sites along the shores of Lake Kariba.