Spinosaurus mirabilis: A New Dinosaur Species Unveiled with a Magnificent Crest

A remarkable new species of Spinosaurus has been unearthed from the heart of the Saharan desert, captivating paleontologists with a magnificent crest never before observed in this iconic dinosaur. The team has aptly named it Spinosaurus mirabilis, meaning ‘wonderful spine lizard’ – a designation wholeheartedly agreed upon by the scientific community.

But this discovery is more than just a testament to the dinosaur’s striking beauty. Traditionally, Spinosaurus fossils have been found in coastal regions. This new specimen, however, originates from deep inland in Niger, hundreds of kilometers from any ancient ocean. Even the seasoned paleontology team, led by Paul Sereno of the University of Chicago, was taken by surprise.

“This find was so sudden and amazing, it was really emotional for our team,” Sereno explains. “I’ll forever cherish the moment in camp when we crowded around a laptop to look at the new species for the first time… One member of our team generated 3D digital models of the bones we found to assemble the skull – on solar power in the middle of the Sahara. That’s when the significance of the discovery really registered.”

A Semi-Aquatic Lifestyle?

With its spiky, interlocking teeth – strikingly similar to those of modern crocodiles – and its discovery alongside the remains of long-necked dinosaurs in nearby river sediments, Sereno and his team hypothesize that Spinosaurus mirabilis led a semi-aquatic lifestyle within a forested habitat.

“I envision this dinosaur as a kind of ‘hell heron’ that had no problem wading on its sturdy legs into two meters of water but probably spent most of its time stalking shallower traps for the many large fish of the day,” Sereno suggests. This paints a picture of a formidable predator perfectly adapted to its environment.

The Mystery of the Crest

The scimitar-shaped crest is undoubtedly a visually stunning feature, but its exact purpose remains a captivating mystery. Researchers suspect it was once covered in keratin – potentially brightly colored, much like a toucan’s bill – serving as a visual display for attracting mates or intimidating rivals. Further research will be needed to unlock the secrets of this remarkable ornamentation.

You can learn more about groundbreaking fossil discoveries at National Geographic’s Dinosaur Fossils page.

The groundbreaking research detailing this discovery has been published in the prestigious journal Science.