Casablanca, Morocco – Fossils of pony-sized duckbill dinosaurs uncovered in Morocco have unveiled a surprising link between European and African dinosaur species. This discovery has left scientists puzzled about how these North American evolved duckbill dinosaurs made their way to Africa during the last moments of the Cretaceous period, approximately 66 million years ago. The high sea levels, coupled with the supercontinent Pangaea’s breakup, isolated Africa as an island continent surrounded by water.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports sheds light on the journey of the duckbill dinosaurs across the Tethys Sea to Africa. These dinosaurs quickly diversified upon colonizing Africa, with at least three distinct species thriving in North Africa at the end of the Cretaceous. One of the newly discovered species, named Minqaria bata, closely resembles European duckbill species, hinting at a long swim across open water to reach North Africa. The fossils of Minqaria bata, measuring approximately 3-4 meters in length and weighing around 250kg, were found in Morocco. These fossils indicated that this particular species was fully matured.
The anatomy of Minqaria bata resembles that of European duckbill species, suggesting a successful colonization of North Africa with even larger species estimated to be around 5-6 meters in length. The study, led by Dr. Nicholas Longrich and a team of international scientists, provides new insights into the evolution and diversity of duckbill dinosaurs in Africa during the late Cretaceous period.
The newly discovered dinosaur, Minqaria bata, shares similarities with the previously known African duckbill, Ajnabia odysseus, within the subfamily Lambeosaurinae. Both species likely had elaborate head crests, indicating their social nature. Dr. Longrich, the lead researcher, suggests that these dinosaur species were vocal animals, similar to modern birds that communicate in flocks.
The significance of this discovery lies in the unexpected presence of duckbill dinosaurs in Africa during a time when the continent was isolated by water. Dr. Longrich highlights the improbability of dinosaurs crossing oceans but notes that with enough time, these events become more plausible. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the distribution of dinosaur species and adds a new perspective to the understanding of past ecosystems in Africa.
Dr. Nour-Eddine Jalil emphasizes the importance of the Moroccan phosphates in providing insights into the biodiversity of the late dinosaur age and the subsequent diversification of mammals. The discoveries in Morocco offer a glimpse into the terrestrial ecosystems in Africa during a crucial period in the history of life on Earth. The study, funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Ministry of Science and Innovation, opens new avenues for further exploration and understanding of prehistoric life on the African continent.