New dinosaur species unearthed in Zimbabwe

A new dinosaur species has been discovered in Zimbabwe, based on Late Triassic fossils found in the southern African country.

Researchers uncovered fossilized remains of the dinosaur’s hind leg near Lake Kaliba, including thigh, shin, and ankle bones embedded in rock. These bones, dating back to approximately 210 million years ago in the Late Triassic period, have led scientists to identify the species as “Musankwa Sanyatiensis”. This new species exhibits distinct characteristics from other dinosaurs of the period, as determined by phylogenetic analysis.

The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Witwatersrand, Stony Brook University, Zimbabwe Natural History Museum, and London Natural History Museum, was published in the journal “Acta Palaentologica Polonica.”

“Musankwa Sanyatiensis” belongs to the dinosaur clade “Sauropodomorpha”, typically comprising herbivorous and long-necked creatures. This discovery marks the fourth dinosaur species found in Zimbabwe.