A team of paleontologists led by Professor Paul Sereno has discovered in Niger the remains of a previously unknown dinosaur species from the spinosaur family. This predator, named Spinosaurus mirabilis, measured thirteen meters in length and possessed a unique crest shaped like a scimitar. The find is significant as it represents the first case in over a century of recovering such well-preserved cranial material of this amphibious giant.

Discovery of a New Species

Scientists have identified Spinosaurus mirabilis, a gigantic predator measuring 13 meters in length and weighing 7 tons, equipped with a unique, half-meter-long crest.

Historic Skull Find

This is the first successful recovery of skull fragments from a spinosaur in over 100 years, which are extremely rare due to their delicate structure.

Paul Sereno's Expedition

The team led by the Chicago professor found the fossils in central Niger, based on geological records from the 1950s.

An international team of twenty scientists made a sensational discovery in a remote corner of the central Sahara in Niger. Researchers came across fossils of a new species of spinosaur, distinguished by its unusual anatomy. The most characteristic feature of the newly described Spinosaurus mirabilis is a head crest resembling a scimitar (a curved saber). Paleontologists suggest that this approximately half-meter-long protrusion may have been brightly colored and used for intraspecific communication or deterring rivals. The first spinosaur remains were discovered in 1912 by Ernst Stromer in Egypt, but the original fossils were irretrievably destroyed during the bombing of Munich in World War II in 1944. The expedition, led by Paul Sereno from the University of Chicago, was inspired by a mention in a monograph by a French geologist from the 1950s. After years of searching, bone material from an individual that weighed over seven tons in life and reached a length of 13 meters was found. This is a breakthrough for science, as no such complete spinosaur skull fragments have been found for over a hundred years. The Cretaceous predator was a specialized fish hunter, as evidenced by its powerful teeth and adaptations for life near ancient water bodies that existed millions of years ago in what is now desert. „This is the first time in over a century that spinosaur cranial material has been found. It is the most fragile and hardest element to find. It's the real jackpot.” — Paul Sereno Scientists emphasize that the find in Niger, far from ancient ocean coastlines, proves the extremely wide range of these reptiles. The discovered specimen, colloquially called the „hellish heron” due to its appearance, sheds new light on the evolution of theropods in Africa. Analyses indicate the animal lived about 100 million years ago. Work is currently underway to reconstruct the full skeleton, which will allow for an even more precise understanding of the biology of this „miraculous” lizard. Size Comparison of the Largest Theropods: Spinosaurus mirabilis: 13, Tyrannosaurus rex: 12, Giganotosaurus: 13, Carcharodontosaurus: 12

Mentioned People

  • Paul Sereno — Paleontologist from the University of Chicago, leader of the research mission in the Sahara.
  • Daniel Vidal — Spanish paleontologist who participated in the discovery of the fossils.