The find, the fifth dinosaur species identified in the country, challenges assumptions about dinosaur diversity across southern Africa.
A New Window into Ancient Ecosystems
The discovery of Musango matusadonaensis on the shores of Lake Kariba in northern Zimbabwe offers a rare glimpse into the Late Triassic period, when dinosaurs were beginning to diversify. Until recently, it was assumed that the dinosaurs living across southern Africa were largely the same,
Barrett said, challenging prior assumptions about dinosaur uniformity across southern Africa.
The Role of International Collaboration
The research team, comprising scientists from the UK, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, highlights the importance of cross-border cooperation in paleontology. Professor Jonah Choiniere, a co-author from Johannesburg’s Evolutionary Studies Institute, emphasized that such efforts are critical for understanding dinosaur diversity. The study, published in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, builds on the team’s earlier work, including the 2024 description of Musankwa sanyatiensis, Zimbabwe’s fourth dinosaur species. New dinosaur species like Musango show the value of doing palaeontological fieldwork in remote, and often scenically beautiful, places,
Choiniere noted.
The discovery also underscores the underrepresentation of African fossils in global paleontological narratives. Fossils from Africa may hold the answer [to dinosaur evolution], as they have historically been understudied compared to sites in Europe and North America,
the Natural History Museum’s report stated.
Characteristics and Significance of Musango matusadonaensis
Musango matusadonaensis was a relatively lightweight dinosaur, measuring 4.5 metres (15 feet) long and weighing approximately 222 kilogrammes (490 pounds)—comparable to a fully grown pig. Unlike later giant long-necked dinosaurs, it was relatively lightly built. Analysis of its fossils, including spine, rib, arm, leg and feet bones, revealed it was around eight years old and almost fully grown at the time of its death, and had previously recovered from a serious infection or injury. Barrett said:
The species’ name, derived from the ChiShona word for living in the bush,
references its remote discovery site near Matusadona National Park. While its skull is missing, researchers believe it was likely a herbivore or omnivore, feeding on plants along ancient rivers. Its coexistence with lungfish, crocodile-like phytosaurs, and other dinosaurs like Musankwa paints a picture of a complex, dynamic ecosystem.
Unanswered Questions and Future Research
Despite the excitement, many questions remain. Barrett noted that what we’ve found so far is only the tip of the iceberg,
with at least one other new species that they’ve yet to describe and other fossils reported from the region. I think it’s likely there are even more dinosaurs still to be found there,
he said, citing the need for further exploration. The team’s ongoing work in Zimbabwe and neighboring areas could redefine understanding of dinosaur migration and adaptation during the Late Triassic.
The study also raises broader implications for paleontological priorities. Until recently, it was assumed that the dinosaurs living across southern Africa were largely the same,
Barrett added. As the Natural History Museum and its partners continue their research, the discovery of Musango serves as a reminder of the untapped potential in Africa’s fossil record—and the importance of investing in fieldwork where it matters most.
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