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Scientists are sharing the details of a newly discovered dinosaur, 'Musango'
The 5-foot dinosaur adds evidence that southern Africa’s ancient ecosystems were more diverse than scientists once believed, said lead author Paul Barrett.
- In July, Professor Paul Barrett named a new dinosaur species, Musango matusadonaensis, discovered on the shore of Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe after eight years of excavation and fossil analysis.
- Until recently, paleontologists assumed dinosaurs across southern Africa were largely identical, but this discovery reveals the ancient supercontinent Gondwana contained diverse ecosystems with different species.
- Barrett and comparative biology professor Choiniere navigated logistical challenges probing sites 31 miles from the nearest town near Matusadona National Park, often encountering local wildlife during the expedition.
- This specimen represents only the fifth dinosaur species ever named in Zimbabwe, with fossils now permanently housed at the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe for long-term display and research.
- Future expeditions to Lake Kariba are planned for 2027 to "fill in the paleontological map" of southern Africa; Barrett and Choiniere believe this discovery is "100% the tip of the iceberg" for the region.
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An Unknown Dinosaur so Far, Discovered in Africa. It Had 4.5 Meters and Lived 210 Million Years Ago.
An international team of paleontologists has identified in Zimbabwe a species of dinosaur unknown so far, after years of research carried out in a hard-to-reach region near Kariba Lake. The animal, called Musango matusadonaensis, was about 4.5 meters long and lived about 210 million years ago. The discovery is important and because [...]
An international team of paleontologists made an important discovery in Zimbabwe, in a region where researchers say there could be many more fossils unknown.
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Leaning Left1Leaning Right0Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution89% Center
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C 89%
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