In a groundbreaking discovery, paleontologists have unearthed a dinosaur fossil in Morocco that exhibits striking similarities to a titanosaur species previously believed to exist solely in South America. This finding may significantly alter our understanding of dinosaur evolution and distribution across the globe.
The fossil, identified as Phosphatotitan khouribgaensis, was found in Sidi Chennane, Morocco, and its characteristics have astonished researchers. In a study published in the journal Diversity, the paleontologists highlighted that this dinosaur shares many traits with the Lognkosauria group of titanosaurs—an assemblage that had only been studied through fossil evidence in South America until now.
The Ancient Habitat of the Titanosaur
Dating back approximately 70 million years to the Late Cretaceous period, Phosphatotitan khouribgaensis is believed to have roamed the northwestern region of Africa. Researchers reached this conclusion by examining its remains, which included vertebrae and portions of the sacrum and pelvis. This discovery suggests that dinosaurs were widely dispersed across the supercontinent Gondwana before the separation of Africa and South America more than 100 million years ago.
The implications of this discovery may point toward the existence of a common ancestor between Phosphatotitan khouribgaensis and the Lognkosauria. Notably, Phosphatotitan khouribgaensis bears a resemblance to the larger Patagotitan, but on a smaller scale. Both species are characterized by short dorsal and tail bones, an elongated spine, and a broad pubis, as noted by the authors of the study.
Challenging Existing Theories of Dinosaur Evolution
Interestingly, initial estimates suggest that Phosphatotitan khouribgaensis was significantly lighter than the Patagotitan, weighing in at only between 3.5 and 4 tons. Researchers speculate that this size difference may reflect environmental pressures or geographical isolation experienced by Phosphatotitan khouribgaensis. They propose that during the Cretaceous, North Africa could have functioned like a series of islands.
The presence of Phosphatotitan khouribgaensis suggests that, similar to other hadrosaurids studied previously, a unique and endemic fauna existed in Morocco during the Late Cretaceous, distinct from that of the rest of Africa. If this hypothesis holds true, it could complicate and enrich the work of paleontologists, as it implies that certain dinosaur species may have evolved independently in isolated regions.
As reported by geo.fr.
