Scimitar-crested Spinosaurus species from the Sahara caps stepwise spinosaurid radiation

• Science, Volume 391, Issue 6787, February 2026.

Article Summaries:

• A new study published in Science reports the discovery of a previously unknown Spinosaurus species from the Sahara, distinguished by a distinctive scimitar‑shaped cranial crest. The fossil assemblage, dated to the early Cretaceous, provides the most complete evidence yet of the species’ anatomy and suggests a more complex evolutionary history for spinosaurids than previously thought. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that this species represents a late, derived branch of the group, supporting a stepwise pattern of radiation across Africa. The findings refine timelines for spinosaurid diversification and highlight the Sahara’s role as a key region in the spread of these semi‑aquatic theropods.

Sources:

• https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.adx5486?af=R