New Spinosaurus species to debut at Chicago Children’s Museum

University of Chicago scientists discover new Spinosaurus species in Sahara | ChicagoLIVE

Paul Sereno, a professor at the University of Chicago, led a team that discovered Spinosaurus mirabilis in Niger’s central Sahara. The species is named for its distinctive scimitar-shaped crest. 

CHICAGO - A newly discovered species of Spinosaurus unearthed in the African Sahara will go on display at the Chicago Children’s Museum beginning March 1.

What we know:

The fossil was discovered by a team of paleontologists led by Dr. Paul Sereno of the University of Chicago. Researchers say the remains were found hundreds of miles inland from the present-day African shoreline, where most fossils of the large, fish-eating dinosaur have previously been located.

Scientists have named the species Spinosaurus mirabilis, describing it as a rare and unusual find among theropod dinosaurs. The discovery is featured on the cover of the journal Science.

The exhibit opens at 2 p.m. on March 1. Sereno is expected to attend and speak about what researchers are calling a once-in-a-lifetime discovery.