In Niger, in the heart of the Sahara Desert, scientists have discovered a new species of Spinosaurus — one of the largest known carnivorous dinosaurs. This species is distinguished by its characteristic crest on its head and teeth designed for catching fish. This was reported by RIA Novosti, citing an article in the journal Science.
Until now, only one species of this dinosaur was known — Spinosaurus aegyptiacus, whose fossil remains were found in Egypt in 1915.
“A new fossil site has been found in the central part of the Sahara. We describe a new species from this area, which is called Spinosaurus mirabilis. It is similar to Spinosaurus aegyptiacus in skeletal structure, but differs by having a taller, saber-like cranial crest,” the published study states.
The name of the new species, mirabilis, translates to “wonderful” and is associated with its remarkable crest.
The two species of Spinosaurus that coexisted had similar anatomy, including long dorsal spines and a skull adapted for fish hunting.
Researchers suggest that the crest of Spinosaurus may have served for display purposes, as its structure seems too fragile for use in combat. The crest, resembling bull horns and covered in keratin, was likely brightly colored and may have played an important role in sexual or territorial competition.
Spinosaurus are among the largest predatory dinosaurs and inhabited areas of modern-day Africa and Europe approximately 112-93 million years ago, during the mid-Cretaceous period.
