An international research team has discovered fossils of a new dinosaur species that lived approximately 210 million years ago on the shores of Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe. Scientists state that the African continent is home to a large number of undiscovered fossils and that this finding is “just the tip of the iceberg.”
“Elchi” reports that the difficult excavation work carried out around Lake Kariba, surrounded by crocodiles and hippos, led to an exciting discovery in the world of paleontology.
After eight years of careful excavation and analysis, the newly identified species was named “Musango matusadonaensis,” which means “inhabitant of the Musango” in the local language.
Living on the supercontinent of Gondwana during the late Triassic period before the continents drifted apart, this creature has been identified as one of the early ancestors of long-necked giant dinosaurs like the Diplodocus.
Hatchback-Sized Herbivore
Thought to have died at approximately eight years of age and nearly at full maturity, the dinosaur is estimated to have been 4.5 meters long and weighed 222 kilograms. Although the spine, ribs, arms, legs, and foot bones were found, the skull has not yet been discovered. Researchers state that finding the skull fossil is necessary to fully clarify the species’ exact feeding habits and sensory characteristics. In their opinion, these animals were herbivores or omnivores that fed on plants near water. This species, which was found to walk on two legs, is the fifth dinosaur identified in Zimbabwe to date.
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