A recent expedition in northern Africa has unearthed a new species of Spinosaurus, identified as Spinosaurus mirabilis, which lived approximately 95 million years ago in the Tethys Sea, far from the coast. This finding, reported in the February 19 edition of Science, was led by paleontologists Paul Sereno and Daniel Vidal from the University of Chicago. The fossil was discovered at a previously unknown site called Sirig Taghat in the Agadez region of Niger.

The Spinosaurus mirabilis is notable for its size, potentially reaching up to eight meters in length. Its distinctive features include a crest on top of its head and sharp teeth similar to those of modern crocodiles. The crest, located between the frontal bone and the nasal bones, is an unusual characteristic that sets this species apart from other Spinosaurus species found in different locations.

This discovery adds important information to our understanding of aquatic dinosaurs and their evolution. The location of the find in the Sahara, far from the ocean, raises intriguing questions about the environments these dinosaurs inhabited and their adaptability. It also highlights the ongoing importance of paleontological research in revealing the diversity of life forms that existed millions of years ago.