New dinosaur species Musango matusadonaensis discovered in Zimbabwe

A new dinosaur species, Musango matusadonaensis, has been discovered on the shore of Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe, shedding light on a pivotal moment in dinosaur evolution. The species dates to the Late Triassic, approximately 210 million years ago, when dinosaurs were beginning to spread across the planet and eventually become Earth's dominant animals. The discovery is significant because African fossils have historically been understudied compared to those in Europe and North America, and this find helps address that gap. The research team, comprising British, South African, and Zimbabwean scientists, has been working to increase knowledge of Zimbabwe's prehistoric life. This is the fifth dinosaur species described from the country, following the 2024 naming of Musankwa sanyatiensis, which was the fourth. The discovery provides new insights into the early diversification and global dispersal of dinosaurs.