A new study found that the primitive relatives of Tyrannosaurus rex had bulldog-like snouts and shorter arms. The research offers new insights about the end of the dinosaur period in Africa based on fossils recently discovered close to Casablanca, Morocco.
The recently identified dinosaur species belong to the Abelisauridae subfamily of carnivorous dinosaurs, which include the famous tyrannosaurs of the Northern Hemisphere, per NonStop Local. These giant animals lived during the late Cretaceous era and provide a glimpse into the varied world of African dinosaurs right before the global extinction catastrophe around 66 million years ago.
What Were the Newly Discovered Species?
The first dinosaur species, represented by a foot bone found near Sidi Daoui, was around 2.5 meters (eight feet) long. The second species, discovered around Sidi Chennane, had a shin bone from a carnivore that was an astonishing five meters (15 feet) in length. The journal Cretaceous Research has published the comprehensive results.
Surprisingly, both species coexisted alongside Chenanisaurus barbaricus, a considerably bigger abelisaur. The variety of dinosaur species found in Morocco proves that the area was home to many of these extinct animals right before a massive asteroid impact brought about the end of the Cretaceous epoch.
Dr. Nick Longrich, chief researcher at Bath's Milner Centre for Evolution, was amazed by the discovery. According to Science Daily, the expert pointed out that the fossils were placed in unexpected locations for dinosaur remains since they were placed next to a shallow, tropical sea, home to plesiosaurs, mosasaurs, and sharks.
