Chenanisaurus
Chenanisaurus was a genus of theropod dinosaur belonging to the Abelisauridae family that lived in what is now Morocco during the Late Cretaceous period. It is known from a partial lower jawbone and several teeth, suggesting it was a large abelisaurid, estimated to be around 7-8 meters in length. This dinosaur existed shortly before the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event.
Key Facts
- ›Chenanisaurus lived during the Late Cretaceous period, specifically the Maastrichtian age.
- ›It belonged to the Abelisauridae family of theropod dinosaurs.
- ›Fossils were discovered in the phosphate mines of the Ouled Abdoun Basin in Morocco.
- ›Estimated length is between 7 and 8 meters (23-26 ft), making it one of the larger abelisaurids.
- ›The dentary (lower jawbone) was deep and slightly bowed, with a sculptured outer surface.
- ›It was a bipedal carnivore, typical of abelisaurids.
- Estimated length of 7–8 m.
- Proportionately short and tall lower jaw.
- Bowed lower jaw, similar to Carnotaurus.
- Outer surface of the dentary ornamented with deep striations, grooves, and rugosities.
- Tall and slender teeth with sharp cutting edges and denticles.
Majungasaurus, Carnotaurus, Pycnonemosaurus, Ekrixinatosaurus, Genyodectes
Africa
About Chenanisaurus
Chenanisaurus is a genus of theropod dinosaur that roamed the Earth during the Late Cretaceous period, specifically the Maastrichtian age, in what is now Morocco. Belonging to the family Abelisauridae, this dinosaur is known primarily from fossilized remains found in the phosphate mines of the Ouled Abdoun Basin. These discoveries place Chenanisaurus among the last non-avian dinosaurs, living only about one million years before the mass extinction event that marked the end of the Cretaceous.
Discovery and Description
The fossils of Chenanisaurus, including a partial lower jawbone (dentary) and several teeth, were unearthed in the Sidi Chennane mines near Khouribga, Morocco. The genus and its sole species, Chenanisaurus barbaricus, were formally described in 2017 by paleontologist Nicholas Longrich and his colleagues. The dentary is notable for its depth and slight bowing, a characteristic shared with other abelisaurids, and its outer surface features a pattern of grooves and ornamentation. The teeth are described as tall and slender, with sharp, serrated edges.
Paleoecology and Classification
Chenanisaurus was an abelisaurid, a group of bipedal carnivores. Based on the size of its jawbone and teeth, it is estimated to have been a large abelisaurid, reaching lengths of approximately 7 to 8 meters (23 to 26 feet). The Ouled Abdoun Basin, where Chenanisaurus fossils were found, was a marine environment at the time, inhabited by a diverse array of marine life. Dinosaur remains are rare in this deposit, but Chenanisaurus coexisted with other dinosaurs like the titanosaurian sauropod Phosphatotitan and various hadrosaurids. Its classification within Abelisauridae highlights the presence of this dinosaur family in Africa during the Late Cretaceous, and its unique features suggest it may represent a distinct lineage within the group.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Chenanisaurus mean?
The name Chenanisaurus means "Sidi Chennane lizard." It is derived from the Sidi Chennane area where its jawbone was found and the Greek word "sauros" meaning "lizard."
When did Chenanisaurus live?
Chenanisaurus lived during the Late Cretaceous period, specifically in the Maastrichtian age. This was just about one million years before the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event.
Where were Chenanisaurus fossils found?
Fossils of Chenanisaurus were discovered in the phosphate mines of the Ouled Abdoun Basin in northern Morocco. This region was a marine environment when the dinosaur lived.
How large was Chenanisaurus?
Chenanisaurus is estimated to have been around 7 to 8 meters (23 to 26 feet) in length, making it one of the larger known members of the Abelisauridae family.
What did Chenanisaurus eat?
As a member of the theropod group and specifically the Abelisauridae family, Chenanisaurus was a carnivore. Abelisaurids were typically bipedal meat-eaters.
What other dinosaurs lived alongside Chenanisaurus?
Chenanisaurus shared its environment with other dinosaurs such as the titanosaurian sauropod Phosphatotitan and several hadrosaurids, including Ajnabia, Minqaria, and Taleta. Other indeterminate abelisaurids were also present.
Related Dinosaur species
Berberosaurus
Berberosaurus is a genus of neotheropod dinosaur that lived during the Early Jurassic period in what is now Morocco. It is considered one of the oldest formally identified theropods from North Africa and may represent the earliest known ceratosaur. Berberosaurus is known from partial postcranial remains and is characterized by unique anatomical features in its vertebrae and hindlimb bones.
Ajnabia
Ajnabia is a genus of small hadrosaurid dinosaur that lived in Morocco during the Late Cretaceous period. Its discovery was significant as it represented the first definitive hadrosaur from Africa, a continent previously thought to be isolated from hadrosaur populations by oceans. Ajnabia is believed to have reached Africa through oceanic dispersal, likely related to European hadrosaurs.
Adratiklit
Adratiklit is an extinct genus of stegosaurian dinosaur that lived in Gondwana during the Middle Jurassic period. Its remains were discovered in Morocco, making it the first described eurypodan taxon from North Africa. Adratiklit is considered one of the oldest known stegosaurs, with an estimated body length of up to 7 meters.