2024-02-29 23:15:00
“If they remember, Moroccan experts in science and the history of our planet will tell you how the discovery of a new species of dinosaur in Morocco in November 2020 had captivated the attention of the whole world on the Kingdom. Researchers of different nationalities, including Moroccans, participated in this grandiose event.
Paleontologists, at that time, announced the discovery of Ajnabia odysseys, the first duck-billed dinosaur identified in Africa. This time, a second species, or perhaps a third, is reported. Indeed, a new discovery confirms the existence of a second species of duck-billed dinosaur, with clues suggesting their presence in Africa, which is unusual because it requires a long journey.
This new species, called Minqaria bata, was found in Morocco, in the phosphates of the Oulad Abdoun basin, which have already revealed many other species of dinosaurs. Analyzes of the remains of Minqaria bata, detailed in the journal Scientific Reports, indicate that it was an animal measuring approximately 3 to 4 meters long and weighing approximately 250 kg, the approximate size of a pony.
Duck-billed dinosaurs, or hadrosaurs, were remarkably successful in the late Cretaceous, being herbivores that colonized almost every region of the world until the Chixculub catastrophe, which led to the extinction of all non-avian dinosaurs. Initially appearing in North America, they gradually migrated to Alaska, then expanded their presence to South America, Asia and Europe.
Although relatively small compared to other hadrosaurs, the close fusion of Minqaria bata’s skull bones indicates that it was an adult individual. In addition, the presence of larger bones suggests the existence of a third, larger species, measuring approximately 5 to 6 meters long, but the fossils are not yet complete enough to allow a detailed description. Minqaria bata bears similarities to Ajnabia odysseus, but differences in the shape of the jaws and teeth indicate that it is a distinct species probably occupying a different ecological niche.
Both dinosaurs belong to the Lambeosaurinae subfamily, characterized by their elaborate crests. These features weren’t just ornamental: they housed long nasal passages capable of producing horn-like sounds. According to Nick Longrich, a paleontologist and professor at the University of Bath in the United Kingdom, who supervised the study, said it is likely that these creatures were noisy and vocal, likely forming noisy herds that roamed the coasts of Morocco 66 million years ago.
Although the anatomy of the new duck-billed dinosaur closely resembled that of European species, there was no land bridge connecting Africa to other continents. This implies that the ancestors of these African dinosaurs must have crossed the seas to reach this region. They probably traveled on rafts of vegetation or even by swimming, potentially being good swimmers with their powerful limbs and tails.
Many fossils have been found in aquatic environments, such as river and marine deposits. Ocean crossings are rare and unlikely, but they have been documented throughout Earth’s history. A notable example is the island of Madagascar, where several species, including the iconic lemurs, originated in Africa and reached the island on rafts between 60 and 20 million years ago. Similarly, apes crossed the Atlantic to colonize South America around 40 million years ago. This new discovery confirms that dinosaurs also used this mode of transport to get around.
That said, the geological history of Morocco, rich in phosphates for around 72 million years, reveals abundant biodiversity, as evidenced by the fossils discovered. These remains, spanning a chronicle of nearly 26 million years, offer a rare window on the evolution of vertebrates, particularly through two major biological crises: the end of the Mesozoic and the beginning of the Cenozoic.
Ajnabia Odysseus, among the most recent dinosaurs discovered, emerges as a crucial witness to these upheavals. “Ajnabia odysseus” takes its name from a reference to the exploit of these dinosaurs, described as “foreigners” in Arabic, sailing towards new lands, like the odyssey of the Greek mythological hero Ulysses.
These dinosaurs had undertaken, like the latter, an extraordinary journey, crossing seas and oceans, overcoming challenges and dangers during their journey. They had to face hostile conditions and obstacles to reach their final destination, Africa in this case.
The singularity of this discovery also lies in its geography. Before Ajnabia’s discovery, the idea of duck-billed dinosaurs in Africa seemed inconceivable, given the continent’s geographic isolation at the time. However, biogeographic analysis suggests bold migrations, illustrating transoceanic dispersal on floating islands or by swimming, thus defying presumptions about continental separation. »
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