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New Fossils Unravel Mystery of African Dinosaurs' Extinction

Wednesday 14 February 2024 - 10:30

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In a significant discovery near Casablanca, dinosaur fossils have emerged shedding light on the enigmatic mass extinction event that wiped out dinosaurs 66 million years ago.

Unearthed by a team of researchers, the fossils belong to the Abelisaurus species, a predatory dinosaur akin to the infamous Tyrannosaurus rex. This finding marks the first evidence of Abelisaurus dinosaurs thriving in Africa until the end of the Cretaceous period.

Lead researcher Dr. Amina Mesbahi from Cadi Ayyad University remarked, "This discovery highlights the diversity of African dinosaurs just before the mass extinction. It suggests they were flourishing moments before their sudden demise."

The extinction event that eradicated non-avian dinosaurs has perplexed scientists for over a century. Theories propose various causes including an asteroid impact, volcanic eruptions, or climate change.

The recently uncovered fossils, comprising a shin bone and foot bone, reveal a range of carnivorous dinosaur species inhabiting Africa before the extinction event. This challenges the belief that dinosaurs were already declining globally.

Mesbahi emphasized Africa's underexplored status in dinosaur research, suggesting it likely housed more dinosaur species than North America, indicating the severity of the extinction event.

"Finding late Cretaceous terrestrial fossils in Africa is challenging due to the continent's underwater status at the time," Mesbahi explained. "These fossils are invaluable, offering rare glimpses into Africa's prehistoric ecosystems."

These findings underscore the gaps in understanding dinosaurs' evolutionary history, particularly in regions like Africa. Nonetheless, discoveries like this propel dinosaur science forward, uncovering new aspects of the puzzle even after 66 million years.