New dinosaur timeline emerges from Tanzanian fossil
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An international team of researchers led by the University of Bristol identified a new species of prehistoric animal, Dinodontosaurus isiyavamanda, from fossils discovered in Tanzania.
The team examined a dicynodont skeleton and a skull fragment from a 1963 British expedition, recognizing the genus previously known only from South America. This discovery links Tanzanian and South American rock formations, suggesting they formed during the same period approximately 240 million years ago during the Triassic period.
The finding challenges previous assumptions about the age of some of the earliest potential dinosaur fossils found in Tanzania. New radiometric dating in South America indicates that these dinosaur-bearing rocks may be up to 10 million years younger than similar rocks in South Africa. This suggests that Tanzania may not hold the oldest known dinosaur fossils, prompting scientists to re-evaluate the timeline of dinosaur evolution.
Researchers plan to continue studying the remaining Tanzanian Dinodontosaurus fossils, focusing on the postcranial skeleton and comparing it to South American specimens. They also intend to investigate the biomechanics and ecology of these Triassic dicynodonts to understand how several large herbivores coexisted. The team emphasizes the importance of revisiting museum collections, as these fossils can offer new insights even after decades in storage.
