- 16:33SpaceX leads bid to develop Trump's Golden Dome missile shield
- 16:05Strengthening regional cooperation between Île-de-France and Morocco
- 15:35Escalating tragedy: The Gaza conflict and its devastating toll on Palestinian lives
- 15:04Spain reaffirms support for Morocco’s autonomy initiative on the Sahara
- 14:32Putin thanks Hamas for releasing hostages during Kremlin meeting
- 14:07King Mohammed VI Congratulates Syrian President on Evacuation Day Anniversary
- 13:32Domestic demand boosts economic growth in late 2024
- 11:33Nvidia faces $5.5bn loss due to US AI chip export restrictions to China
- 11:07Facing Cybersecurity Threats Three Questions to an Expert
Follow us on Facebook
Oldest dinosaur fossils discovered in Morocco
A groundbreaking discovery in Morocco has unveiled the oldest Cerapodan dinosaur fossils, dating back an astonishing 174 million years. This finding, unearthed in the rocky terrain of El Mers III, near Boulemane, has the potential to transform our understanding of these massive herbivorous creatures. Previously, the only known fossil from this era was a solitary thigh bone found in the United Kingdom.
The excavation was led by experts from Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University in Fez, in collaboration with the UK's Natural History Museum, with their findings published on March 12. Although the fossil remains are not complete, researchers assert that they confirm Morocco was home to some of the earliest herbivorous dinosaurs ever documented. Notably, the same site also reveals some of the world's oldest ankylosaurus and stegosaurus fossils.
In their early existence, Cerapodans were bipedal, using their front limbs to forage for food. Over time, some species evolved to become quadrupedal, developing robust chewing mechanisms that positioned them as the dominant plant-eaters of their time.
Researchers indicate that these dinosaurs diverged into two primary groups: Ornithopods, which included duck-billed dinosaurs, and Marginocephalians, known for their distinctive cranial features. The fossils discovered in Morocco are classified within the Ornithopods, marking a significant milestone in the narrative of dinosaur evolution.
This remarkable find suggests that the Middle Jurassic period was crucial for the ascent of these colossal creatures, challenging previous assumptions about the timeline of their dominance in the prehistoric ecosystem.
Comments (0)