List of African dinosaurs

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This is a list of non-avian dinosaurs whose remains have been recovered in Africa . Africa has a rich fossil record. It is rich in Triassic and Early Jurassic dinosaurs. African dinosaurs from these time periods include Megapnosaurus , Dracovenator , Melanorosaurus , Massospondylus , Euskelosaurus , Heterodontosaurus , Abrictosaurus , and Lesothosaurus . In the Middle Jurassic, the sauropods Atlasaurus , Chebsaurus , Jobaria , and Spinophorosaurus , flourished, as well as the theropod Afrovenator . The Late Jurassic is well represented in Africa, mainly thanks to the spectacular Tendaguru Formation in Lindi Region of Tanzania. Veterupristisaurus , Ostafrikasaurus , Elaphrosaurus , Giraffatitan , Dicraeosaurus , Janenschia , Tornieria , Tendaguria , Kentrosaurus , and Dysalotosaurus are among the dinosaurs whose remains have been recovered from Tendaguru. This fauna seems to show strong similarities to that of the Morrison Formation in the United States and the Lourinha Formation in Portugal. For example, similar theropods, ornithopods and sauropods have been found in both the Tendaguru and the Morrison. This has important biogeographical implications.

Contents

The Early Cretaceous in Africa is known primarily from the northern part of the continent, particularly Niger. Suchomimus , Elrhazosaurus , Rebbachisaurus , Nigersaurus , Kryptops , Nqwebasaurus , and Paranthodon are some of the Early Cretaceous dinosaurs known from Africa. The Early Cretaceous was an important time for the dinosaurs of Africa because it was when Africa finally separated from South America, forming the South Atlantic Ocean. This was an important event because now the dinosaurs of Africa started developing endemism because of isolation. The Late Cretaceous of Africa is known mainly from North Africa. During the early part of the Late Cretaceous, North Africa was home to a rich dinosaur fauna. It includes Spinosaurus , Carcharodontosaurus , Rugops , Bahariasaurus , Deltadromeus , Paralititan , Aegyptosaurus , and Ouranosaurus .

Criteria for inclusion

List of African dinosaurs

Valid genera

NameYearFormationLocationNotesImages
Aardonyx 2010 Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Sinemurian)Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Primarily bipedal but also capable of quadrupedal locomotion Fig 2 - Aardonyx life restoration by Matthew Bonnan.jpg
Abrictosaurus 1975 Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Sinemurian)Flag of Lesotho.svg  Lesotho
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
Known from two skulls, one of which possesses tusks, which may be an indication of sexual dimorphism [1] Abrictosaurus dinosaur.png
Adratiklit 2019 El Mers Group (Middle Jurassic, Bathonian)Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco The oldest known stegosaur; related to Late Jurassic European forms despite its early age [2] Adratiklit LM.png
Aegyptosaurus 1932 Bahariya Formation, Continental intercalaire?, Farak Formation? (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian)Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt
Flag of Niger.svg  Niger?
Its holotype specimen was destroyed in World War II Aegyptosaurus LM.png
Afromimus 2017 Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian)Flag of Niger.svg  Niger Originally described as an African ornithomimosaur, [3] but later redescribed as a possible noasaurid [4] Afromimus LM.png
Afrovenator 1994 Tiourarén Formation (Middle Jurassic to Late Jurassic, Bathonian to Oxfordian)Flag of Niger.svg  Niger Originally thought to hail from the Early Cretaceous Afrovenator reconstruction.png
Ajnabia 2020 Ouled Abdoun Basin (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian)Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco The first hadrosaur known from Africa; closely related to European lambeosaurines [5] Life reconstruction of Ajnabia odysseus.png
Algoasaurus 1904 Kirkwood Formation (Early Cretaceous, Berriasian to Valanginian)Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Today known from only a few bones; several more may have been made into bricks before they could be studied [6] Algoasaurus.jpg
Angolatitan 2011 Itombe Formation (Late Cretaceous, Coniacian)Flag of Angola.svg  Angola The first non-avian dinosaur described from Angola Angolatitan LM.png
Antetonitrus 2003 Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian)Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Had weight-bearing adaptations in all its limbs, although its forelimbs retain adaptations for grasping Antetonitrus reconstruction.jpg
Arcusaurus 2011 Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Pliensbachian)Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Combines traits of basal and advanced sauropodomorphs Arcusaurus LM.png
Atlasaurus 1999 Guettioua Formation (Middle Jurassic, Bathonian to Callovian)Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco Possessed relatively elongated legs for a sauropod Atlasaurus.jpg
Australodocus 2007 Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian to Tithonian)Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania Potentially an early euhelopodid [7] Australodocus LM.png
Bahariasaurus 1934 Bahariya Formation, Farak Formation? (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian)Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt
Flag of Niger.svg  Niger?
Large but known from very few remains
Berberosaurus 2007 Azilal Formation (Early Jurassic, Toarcian)Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco One of the oldest known ceratosaurs Berberosaurus life restoration 2019.jpg
Blikanasaurus 1985 Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, Norian)Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa A "hyper-robust" form that niche partitioned with other Late Triassic Elliot sauropodomorphs [8] Blikanasaurus pes.png
Carcharodontosaurus 1931 Bahariya Formation, Chenini Formation?, Continental intercalaire, Echkar Formation, Elrhaz Formation?, Kem Kem Group, Wadi Milk Formation? (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian)Flag of Algeria.svg  Algeria
Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt
Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco
Flag of Niger.svg  Niger
Flag of Sudan.svg  Sudan?
Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia
One of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs. Two species are known Carcharodontosaurus.png
Chebsaurus 2005 Aïssa Formation (Middle Jurassic, Callovian)Flag of Algeria.svg  Algeria Known from two juvenile specimens Chebsaurus.jpg
Chenanisaurus 2017 Ouled Abdoun Basin (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian)Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco Potentially represents a lineage of abelisaurids endemic to Africa Chenanisaurus barbaricus.jpg
Cristatusaurus 1998 Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian)Flag of Niger.svg  Niger Usually seen as a synonym of Suchomimus , although some studies consider it to be a valid genus [9] Cristatusaurus lapparenti by PaleoGeek.png
Deltadromeus 1996 Kem Kem Group (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian)Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco Its precise phylogenetic position has been historically unstable, with multiple interpretations being suggested in the scientific literature [10] [11] [12] [13] Deltadromeus skeletal.jpg
Dicraeosaurus 1914 Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian to Tithonian)Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania A short-necked, low-browsing sauropod. Two species are known Dicraeosaurus hansemanni22.jpg
Dracovenator 2005 Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian)Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Only known from fragments of a skull, but those are enough to tell that it was related to Dilophosaurus Dracovenator.jpg
Dysalotosaurus 1919 Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian)Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania Known from multiple remains that revealed much about its life history, [14] diet, [15] and even disease [16] Dysalotosaurus lettowvorbecki reconstruction.png
Elaphrosaurus 1920 Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian)Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania Possessed a relatively shallow chest for a theropod its size Elaphrosaurus.jpg
Elrhazosaurus 2009 Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian)Flag of Niger.svg  Niger Closely related to Valdosaurus Elrhazosaurus NT.png
Eocarcharia 2008 Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Albian)Flag of Niger.svg  Niger Its frontal bone was swollen into a thick band, which gave it a menacing glare Eocarcharia, improved.png
Eocursor 2007 Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Pliensbachian)Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa One of the most completely-known early ornithischians Eocursor BW.jpg
Eucnemesaurus 1920 Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, Carnian to Norian)Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Some fossils assigned to this genus were originally interpreted as those of a giant herrerasaurid Eucnemesaurus tibia.jpg
Euskelosaurus 1866 Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, Norian to Rhaetian)Flag of Lesotho.svg  Lesotho
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
Flag of Zimbabwe.svg  Zimbabwe
Originally thought to have been bow-legged Euskelosaurus africanus ischia.jpg
Geranosaurus 1911 Clarens Formation (Early Jurassic, Pliensbachian to Toarcian)Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Poorly known but potentially a heterodontosaurid Geranosaurus atavus mandible.jpg
Giraffatitan 1988 Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian to Tithonian)Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania Popularly associated with Brachiosaurus but several differences between the two have been noted [17] Giraffatitan DB.jpg
Gryponyx 1911 Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Sinemurian)Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Although usually seen as a synonym of Massospondylus , at least one study has found it to be distantly related [18] Annals of the South African Museum. Annale van die Suid-Afrikaanse Museum (18234532989).jpg
Heterodontosaurus 1962 Clarens Formation, Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Pliensbachian)Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Possessed three types of teeth, including analogues of incisors and tusks, as well as a keratinous beak Heterodontosaurus restoration.jpg
Igai 2023 Quseir Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt More closely related to European titanosaurs than to southern African ones Igai semkhu.png
Ignavusaurus 2010 Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian)Flag of Lesotho.svg  Lesotho Only known from a single, mostly articulated juvenile skeleton with a badly crushed skull Ignavusaurus Restoration.jpg
Inosaurus 1960 Bahariya Formation?, Eckhar Formation?, Tegama Group? (Early Cretaceous, Albian)?Flag of Niger.svg  Niger Very poorly known
Iyuku 2022 Kirkwood Formation (Early Cretaceous, Valanginian)Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Uniquely known from an assemblage of mostly hatchling and juvenile fossils
Janenschia 1991 Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Oxfordian to Tithonian)Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania Potentially a close relative of Bellusaurus , Haestasaurus , and Tehuelchesaurus , all of which may form a unique clade of eusauropods with possible turiasaur affinities [7] [19] [20] Janenschia.jpg
Jobaria 1999 Tiourarén Formation (Middle Jurassic to Late Jurassic, Bathonian to Oxfordian)Flag of Niger.svg  Niger Known from an almost complete skeleton Jobaria tiguidensis steveoc.jpg
Kangnasaurus 1915 Kalahari Deposits Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian)Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Comparisons have been made with dryosaurids [21] but at least two studies suggest a position within Elasmaria [22] [23] Iziko Thigh bone kangnasaurus.JPG
Karongasaurus 2005 Dinosaur Beds (Early Cretaceous, Aptian)Flag of Malawi.svg  Malawi Described from only a mandible and isolated teeth Karongasaurus mandible.png
Kentrosaurus 1915 Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian to Tithonian)Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania Possessed two rows of plates that gradually transitioned into spikes towards the tail, as well as a long spike on each shoulder Kentrosaurus NT.jpg
Kholumolumo 2020 Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, Norian)Flag of Lesotho.svg  Lesotho Before its formal description, it had been informally referred to as "Kholumolumosaurus" and "Thotobolosaurus"; the latter name means "trash heap lizard" in Sesotho, referring to how the holotype was originally found close to a trash heap Kholumolumo pes.png
Kryptops 2008 Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian)Flag of Niger.svg  Niger Postcranial remains referred to this abelisaurid may have instead come from a carcharodontosaurid [24] Kryptops life restoration.jpg
Ledumahadi 2018 Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Sinemurian)Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa One of the largest Early Jurassic dinosaurs, estimated as weighing 12 tonnes (26,000 lb) despite lacking columnar limbs like later sauropods [25] Ledumahadi NT.jpg
Lesothosaurus 1978 Clarens Formation, Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Pliensbachian)Flag of Lesotho.svg  Lesotho
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
Possibly an opportunist omnivore, feeding on meat during seasons when plants are not available [26] Lesothosaurus diagnosticus.png
Lurdusaurus 1999 Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian)Flag of Niger.svg  Niger The proportions of its body and limbs suggest it may have been a semiaquatic herbivore similar to a hippopotamus [27] Lurdusaurus1.jpg
Lycorhinus 1924 Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Sinemurian)Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Originally misidentified as a cynodont Lycorhinus portrait.png
Malawisaurus 1993 Dinosaur Beds (Early Cretaceous, Barremian to Aptian)Flag of Malawi.svg  Malawi Known from abundant material, including from the skull and osteoderms, but they may not represent a single taxon [28] Malawisaurus-head.jpg
Mansourasaurus 2018 Quseir Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian)Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt One of the few terrestrial vertebrates known from the Late Cretaceous of northern Africa [29] Mansourasaurus NT.jpg
Massospondylus 1854 Bushveld Sandstone, Clarens Formation, Elliot Formation, Forest Sandstone (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Pliensbachian)Flag of Lesotho.svg  Lesotho
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
Flag of Zimbabwe.svg  Zimbabwe
Abundant remains have been discovered. Several specimens were once assigned to their own genera and species Massospondylus reconstruction.png
Mbiresaurus 2022 Pebbly Arkose Formation (Late Triassic, Carnian)Flag of Zimbabwe.svg  Zimbabwe One of the oldest dinosaurs known from Africa; its discovery proves that the earliest dinosaurs were restricted to high latitudes [30]
Melanorosaurus 1924 Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, Norian)Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa A robust, quadrupedal herbivore. Some specimens assigned to this genus may not represent the same taxon [8] Melanorosaurus life restoration 2018.jpg
Meroktenos 2016 Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, Norian to Rhaetian)Flag of Lesotho.svg  Lesotho Its femur was unusually robust for an animal of its size Right femur of Meroktenos.png
Mnyamawamtuka 2019 Galula Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania Its specific name moyowamkia is Kiswahili for "heart tail", which references the heart-shaped cross-section of its caudal vertebrae Mnyamawamtuka moyowamkia.jpg
Ngwevu 2019 Clarens Formation (Early Jurassic, Pliensbachian to Toarcian)Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Known from a skull originally assigned to Massospondylus ; it was assigned to its own genus based on its unique proportions Ngwevu intloko.jpg
Nigersaurus 1999 Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian)Flag of Niger.svg  Niger All of its teeth were at the front of its jaws, which were wider than the rest of its skull, an adaptation to low browsing Nigersaurus model aus.jpg
Nqwebasaurus 2000 Kirkwood Formation (Early Cretaceous, Berriasian)Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa The first non-avian coelurosaur named from mainland Africa Nqwebasaurus.jpg
Orosaurus 1867 Elliot Formation? (Late Triassic to Early Jurassic, Norian to Hettangian)Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Probably a synonym of Euskelosaurus
Ostafrikasaurus 2012 Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Tithonian)Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania Described from a single tooth as an early spinosaurid [31] but ceratosaurid affinities have also been proposed [32] Ostafrikasaurus holotype tooth by PaleoGeek.png
Ouranosaurus 1976 Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian)Flag of Niger.svg  Niger Had long neural spines that projected from its vertebrae, which may have supported a sail or hump in life Ouranosaurus nigeriensis restoration.png
Paralititan 2001 Bahariya Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian)Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt Would have lived in a tidal flat environment dominated by mangroves Paralititan stromeri.jpg
Paranthodon 1929 Kirkwood Formation (Early Cretaceous, Berriasian to Valanginian)Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Though only known from fragmentary specimens, they are enough to tell that it was a stegosaur Paranthodon.jpg
Pegomastax 2012 Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Sinemurian)Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa The morphology of its jaws and beak suggests a diet of tough plants Pegomastax africana reconstruction.jpg
Plateosauravus 1932 Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, Norian)Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Known from multiple specimens, including those of juveniles Plateosauravus cullingworthi humerus.jpg
Pulanesaura 2015 Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Sinemurian)Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa A low browser that lacked the extremely long neck of later sauropods Pulanesaura eocollum.jpg
Rebbachisaurus 1954 Kem Kem Group (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian)Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco Carried a row of elongated neural spines, which would have supported a ridge or low sail on its back Rebbachisaurus BW.jpg
Rugops 2004 Echkar Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian)Flag of Niger.svg  Niger Preserves two rows of holes on the top of its skull, which may have anchored a display structure [33] or an armor-like dermis [34] Rugops primus scale diagram.jpg
Rukwatitan 2014 Galula Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania One of the few titanosaurs known from central Africa, filling in a gap in their evolutionary history Rukwatitan humerus.jpg
Sauroniops 2012 Kem Kem Group (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian)Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco Only known from a single, thickened frontal. Suggested to be a synonym of Carcharodontosaurus [13] but this has been refuted [35] MPM2594.svg
Sefapanosaurus 2015 Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian)Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Had a distinctive cross-shaped astragalus
Shingopana 2017 Galula Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania Most closely related to South American titanosaurs
Spicomellus 2021 El Mers Group (Middle Jurassic, Bathonian to Callovian)Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco The oldest ankylosaur known and the first one from Africa. Uniquely, its osteoderms were fused directly to its ribs Spicomellus afer holotype illustration.png
Spinophorosaurus 2009 Irhazer Shale (Middle Jurassic, Bathonian)Flag of Niger.svg  Niger Originally described as possessing a "thagomizer" similar to those of stegosaurs; [36] these turned out to be misidentified clavicles. [37] A high browser with tall shoulders and an elevated neck [38] Spinophorosaurus restoration.jpg
Spinosaurus 1915 Bahariya Formation, Chenini Formation, Kem Kem Group (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian)Flag of Algeria.svg  Algeria
Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt
Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco
Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia
Possessed a myriad of features that have been suggested to be evidence of a semiaquatic lifestyle, including webbed feet [39] and a paddle-like tail; [40] it is however debated if it was a marine piscivore [41] or a shoreline generalist [42] Spinosaurus aegyptiacus by PaleoGeek.png
Spinostropheus 2004 Tiourarén Formation (Middle Jurassic to Late Jurassic, Bathonian to Oxfordian)Flag of Niger.svg  Niger Although often considered a close relative of Elaphrosaurus , these inferences are based on a specimen that cannot actually be referred to this genus [43] Spinostropheus NT.png
Suchomimus 1998 Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian to Albian)Flag of Niger.svg  Niger Similar to Baryonyx but with a low sail on its back Suchomimus tenerensis by PaleoGeek.png
Tataouinea 2013 Aïn el Guettar Formation (Early Cretaceous, Albian)Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia Its bones were extensively pneumatized, supporting the theory that sauropods had bird-like respiratory systems Tataouinea skeleton.png
Tazoudasaurus 2004 Azilal Formation (Early Jurassic, Toarcian)Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco One of the few Early Jurassic sauropods known from reasonably complete remains Tazoudasaurus Scale.svg
Tendaguria 2000 Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Tithonian)Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania The first definitive turiasaur known from Africa [7] Tendaguria.png
Tornieria 1911 Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian to Tithonian)Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania Has been assigned to different genera throughout its history Tornieria caudal.png
Veterupristisaurus 2011 Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian to Tithonian)Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania Known from a few vertebrae somewhat similar to those of Acrocanthosaurus Veterupristisaurus milneri life restoration.jpg
Vulcanodon 1972 Forest Sandstone (Early Jurassic, Sinemurian to Toarcian)Flag of Zimbabwe.svg  Zimbabwe Theropod teeth were found associated with the holotype Vulcanodon NT.jpg
Wamweracaudia 2019 Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Tithonian)Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania The first definitive mamenchisaurid known from outside Asia

Invalid and potentially valid genera

Timeline

This is a timeline of selected dinosaurs from the list above. Time is measured in mya along the x-axis.

MesozoicTriassicJurassicCretaceousRugopsChenanisaurusDeltadromeusBahariasaurusAegyptosaurusSigilmassasaurusParalititanCarcharodontosaurusRebbachisaurusSpinosaurusNigersaurusOuranosaurusEocarchariaKryptopsSuchomimusCristatusaurusLurdusaurusJobariaNqwebasaurusValdosaurusParanthodonTendaguriaMalawisaurusGiraffatitanElaphrosaurusTornieriaAustralodocusCeratosaurusKentrosaurusDysalotosaurusJanenschiaDicraeosaurusSpinostropheusAfrovenatorChebsaurusAtlasaurusSpicomellusAdratiklitBerberosaurusGyposaurusDracovenatorMegapnosaurusLesothosaurusLanasaurusLycorhinusHeterodontosaurusAbrictosaurusMassospondylusStormbergiaTazoudasaurusEocursorVulcanodonPlateosauravusMelanorosaurusEuskelosaurusEucnemesaurusBlikanasaurusAntetonitrusMesozoicTriassicJurassicCretaceousList of African dinosaurs

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ornithischia</span> Extinct clade of dinosaurs

Ornithischia is an extinct clade of mainly herbivorous dinosaurs characterized by a pelvic structure superficially similar to that of birds. The name Ornithischia, or "bird-hipped", reflects this similarity and is derived from the Greek stem ornith- (ὀρνιθ-), meaning "bird", and ischion (ἴσχιον), meaning "hip". However, birds are only distantly related to this group, as birds are theropod dinosaurs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sauropodomorpha</span> Extinct clade of dinosaurs

Sauropodomorpha is an extinct clade of long-necked, herbivorous, saurischian dinosaurs that includes the sauropods and their ancestral relatives. Sauropods generally grew to very large sizes, had long necks and tails, were quadrupedal, and became the largest animals to ever walk the Earth. The prosauropods, which preceded the sauropods, were smaller and were often able to walk on two legs. The sauropodomorphs were the dominant terrestrial herbivores throughout much of the Mesozoic Era, from their origins in the Late Triassic until their decline and extinction at the end of the Cretaceous.

<i>Dysalotosaurus</i> Extinct genus of dinosaurs

Dysalotosaurus is a genus of herbivorous iguanodontian dinosaur. It was a dryosaurid iguanodontian, and its fossils have been found in late Kimmeridgian-age rocks of the Tendaguru Formation of Lindi Region in Tanzania. The type and only species of the genus is D. lettowvorbecki. This species was named by Hans Virchow in 1919 in honor of the Imperial German Army Officer, Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck. For much of the 20th century the species was referred to the related and approximately contemporary genus Dryosaurus, but newer studies reject this synonymy.

<i>Spinostropheus</i> Extinct genus of dinosaurs

Spinostropheus is a genus of carnivorous neotheropod theropod dinosaur that lived in the Middle Jurassic period and has been found in the Tiouraren Formation, Niger. The type and only species is S. gautieri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lourinhã Formation</span> Late Jurassic geological formation in Portugal

The Lourinhã Formation is a geological formation in western Portugal, outstanding for its abundant fossilized fauna and flora, including dinosaur bones, dinosaur eggs and nests, and fossil tracks, to name but some examples.
At its upper limit, the formation includes some Early Cretaceous (Berriasian) strata, but it mostly consists of Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian/Tithonian) rocks. The stratigraphy of the formation is generally complex and controversial, with the classification and grouping of its lithostratigraphic units varying between different stratigraphers.
The fossil biota present there is very similar to that of the Morrison Formation in the United States and, to a lesser extent, the Tendaguru Formation in Tanzania. There are also similarities to the Villar del Arzobispo Formation in Spain, and the neardy Alcobaça Formation.
The formation is named after the municipality of Lourinhã, the geographic area it mostly occupies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tiourarén Formation</span> Geological Formation

The Tiourarén Formation is a geological formation in the Agadez Region of Niger whose strata were originally thought to be Early Cretaceous. However, re-interpretation of the sediments showed that they are probably Middle or Late Jurassic (Bathonian-Oxfordian) in age. Other works suggested it reaches the Barremian. It is the uppermost unit of the Irhazer Group. Dinosaur remains & other vertebrates are among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation. Originally part of the "Argiles de l'Ihrazer", the Tiouaren Formation primarily comprises reddish to purple siltstones with occasional marls, limestones, and scarce channel sandstones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kem Kem Group</span> Geological group in eastern Morocco

The Kem Kem Group is a geological group in the Kem Kem region of eastern Morocco, whose strata date back to the Cenomanian stage of the Late Cretaceous. Its strata are subdivided into two geological formations, with the lower Ifezouane Formation and the upper Aoufous Formation used for the strata on the eastern side of the Atlas Mountains (Tinghir), with the Gara Sbaa Formation and Douira Formation used in the southern Tafilalt region. It is exposed on an escarpment along the Algeria–Morocco border.

Bahariasauridae is a potential family of averostran theropods that might include a handful of African and South American genera, such as Aoniraptor, Bahariasaurus, Deltadromeus, and Gualicho. The placement of these theropods is controversial, with some studies placing them as basal ceratosaurs possibly related to Noasauridae, others classifying them as megaraptorans, basal neovenatorids, or basal coelurosaurs. There is also a possibility the group might not be monophyletic, as a monograph on the vertebrate diversity in the Kem Kem Beds published in 2020 found Bahariasaurus to be nomen dubium. In the same paper Deltadromeus is classified as an noasaurid, a result also recovered by some previous studies. A 2024 phylogenetic analysis found Aoniraptor, Bahariasaurus, Deltadromeus, and Gualicho to form a monophyletic clade as the sister taxon to Elaphrosaurus near the base of Ceratosauria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Villar del Arzobispo Formation</span>

The Villar del Arzobispo Formation is a Late Jurassic to possibly Early Cretaceous geologic formation in eastern Spain. It is equivalent in age to the Lourinhã Formation of Portugal. It was originally thought to date from the Late Tithonian-Middle Berriasian, but more recent work suggests a Kimmeridigan-Late Tithonian, possibly dating to the Early Berriasian in some areas. The Villar del Arzobispo Formation's age in the area of Riodeva in Spain has been dated based on stratigraphic correlations as middle-upper Tithonian, approximately 145-141 million years old. In the area of Galve, the formation potentially dates into the earliest Cretaceous.

<i>Ostafrikasaurus</i> Genus of theropod dinosaur

Ostafrikasaurus is a genus of theropod dinosaur from the Late Jurassic period of what is now Lindi Region, Tanzania. It is known only from fossil teeth discovered sometime between 1909 and 1912, during an expedition to the Tendaguru Formation by the Natural History Museum of Berlin. Eight teeth were originally attributed to the dubious dinosaur genus Labrosaurus, and later to Ceratosaurus, both known from the North American Morrison Formation. Subsequent studies attributed two of these teeth to a spinosaurid dinosaur, and in 2012, Ostafrikasaurus crassiserratus was named by French palaeontologist Eric Buffetaut, with one tooth as the holotype, and the other referred to the same species. The generic name comes from the German word for German East Africa, the former name of the colony in which the fossils were found, while the specific name comes from the Latin words for "thick" and "serrated", in reference to the form of the animal's teeth.

The year 2011 in Archosaur paleontology was eventful. Archosaurs include the only living dinosaur group — birds — and the reptile crocodilians, plus all extinct dinosaurs, extinct crocodilian relatives, and pterosaurs. Archosaur palaeontology is the scientific study of those animals, especially as they existed before the Holocene Epoch began about 11,700 years ago. The year 2011 in paleontology included various significant developments regarding archosaurs.

The year 2017 in archosaur paleontology was eventful. Archosaurs include the only living dinosaur group — birds — and the reptile crocodilians, plus all extinct dinosaurs, extinct crocodilian relatives, and pterosaurs. Archosaur palaeontology is the scientific study of those animals, especially as they existed before the Holocene Epoch began about 11,700 years ago. The year 2017 in paleontology included various significant developments regarding archosaurs.

The year 2018 in non-avian dinosaur paleontology was eventful. Archosaurs include the only living dinosaur group — birds — and the reptile crocodilians, plus all extinct dinosaurs, extinct crocodilian relatives, and pterosaurs. Archosaur palaeontology is the scientific study of those animals, especially as they existed before the Holocene Epoch began about 11,700 years ago. This article records new taxa of fossil archosaurs of the non-avian variety that have been described during the year 2018, as well as other significant discoveries and events related to paleontology of archosaurs that occurred in the year 2018.

This article records new taxa of fossil archosaurs of every kind that are scheduled described during the year 2022, as well as other significant discoveries and events related to paleontology of archosaurs that are scheduled to occur in the year 2022.

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