List of African dinosaurs
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of non-avian dinosaurs whose remains have been recovered in Africa. Africa has a rich fossil record. It is rich in Triassic and Early Jurassic dinosaurs. African dinosaurs from these time periods include Megapnosaurus, Dracovenator, Melanorosaurus, Massospondylus, Euskelosaurus, Heterodontosaurus, Abrictosaurus, and Lesothosaurus. In the Middle Jurassic, the sauropods Atlasaurus, Chebsaurus, Jobaria, and Spinophorosaurus, flourished, as well as the theropod Afrovenator. The Late Jurassic is well represented in Africa, mainly thanks to the spectacular Tendaguru Formation in the Lindi Region of Tanzania. Veterupristisaurus, Ostafrikasaurus, Elaphrosaurus, Giraffatitan, Dicraeosaurus, Janenschia, Tornieria, Tendaguria, Kentrosaurus, and Dysalotosaurus are among the dinosaurs whose remains have been recovered from Tendaguru. This fauna seems to show strong similarities to that of the Morrison Formation in the United States and the Lourinha Formation in Portugal. For example, similar theropods, ornithopods and sauropods have been found in both the Tendaguru and the Morrison. This has important biogeographical implications.
The Early Cretaceous in Africa is known primarily from the northern part of the continent, particularly Niger. Suchomimus, Elrhazosaurus, Rebbachisaurus, Nigersaurus, Kryptops, Nqwebasaurus, and Paranthodon are some of the Early Cretaceous dinosaurs known from Africa. The Early Cretaceous was an important time for the dinosaurs of Africa because it was when Africa finally separated from South America, forming the South Atlantic Ocean. This was an important event because now the dinosaurs of Africa started developing endemism because of isolation. The Late Cretaceous of Africa is known mainly from North Africa. During the early part of the Late Cretaceous, North Africa was home to a rich dinosaur fauna. It includes Spinosaurus, Carcharodontosaurus, Rugops, Bahariasaurus, Deltadromeus, Paralititan, Aegyptosaurus, and Ouranosaurus.
Criteria for inclusion
- The genus must appear on the List of dinosaur genera.
- At least one named species of the creature must have been found in Africa.
List of African dinosaurs
Valid genera
| Name | Year | Formation | Location | Notes | Images |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aardonyx | 2010 | Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Sinemurian) |  South Africa |
Primarily bipedal but also capable of quadrupedal locomotion |  |
| Abrictosaurus | 1975 | Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Sinemurian) |  Lesotho South Africa |
Known from two skulls, one of which possesses tusks, which may be an indication of sexual dimorphism[1] |  |
| Adratiklit | 2020 | El Mers Group (Middle Jurassic, Bathonian) |  Morocco |
One of the oldest known stegosaurs. Related to Late Jurassic European forms despite its early age[2] |  |
| Aegyptosaurus | 1932 | Bahariya Formation, Continental intercalaire?, Farak Formation? (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian) |  Egypt Niger? |
Its holotype specimen was destroyed in World War II |  |
| Afromimus | 2017 | Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian) | Niger |
Originally described as an African ornithomimosaur,[3] but later redescribed as a possible noasaurid[4] |  |
| Afrovenator | 1994 | Tiourarén Formation (Middle Jurassic to Late Jurassic, Bathonian to Oxfordian) | Niger |
Originally thought to hail from the Early Cretaceous |  |
| Ajnabia | 2021 | Ouled Abdoun Basin (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | Morocco |
The first hadrosaurid known from Africa. Closely related to European lambeosaurines[5] |  |
| Algoasaurus | 1904 | Kirkwood Formation (Early Cretaceous, Berriasian to Valanginian) | South Africa |
Today known from only a few bones. Several more may have been made into bricks before they could be studied[6] |  |
| Angolatitan | 2011 | Itombe Formation (Late Cretaceous, Coniacian) |  Angola |
The first non-avian dinosaur described from Angola |  |
| Antetonitrus | 2003 | Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian) | South Africa |
Had weight-bearing adaptations in all its limbs, although its forelimbs retain adaptations for grasping |  |
| Arcusaurus | 2011 | Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Pliensbachian) | South Africa |
Combines traits of basal and advanced sauropodomorphs |  |
| Atlasaurus | 1999 | Guettioua Formation (Middle Jurassic, Bathonian to Callovian) | Morocco |
Possessed relatively elongated legs for a sauropod |  |
| Australodocus | 2007 | Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian to Tithonian) |  Tanzania |
Potentially an early euhelopodid[7] |  |
| Bahariasaurus | 1934 | Bahariya Formation, Farak Formation? (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian) | Egypt Niger? |
Large but known from very few remains |  |
| Berberosaurus | 2007 | Azilal Formation (Early Jurassic, Toarcian) | Morocco |
One of the oldest known ceratosaurs |  |
| Blikanasaurus | 1985 | Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, Norian) | South Africa |
A "hyper-robust" form that niche partitioned with other Late Triassic Elliot Formation sauropodomorphs[8] |  |
| Carcharodontosaurus | 1931 | Aïn el Guettar Formation?, Continental intercalaire, Echkar Formation, Elrhaz Formation?, Kem Kem Group, Wadi Milk Formation? (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian) |  Algeria Morocco Niger Sudan? Tunisia? |
One of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs. Two species are known |  |
| Chebsaurus | 2005 | Aïssa Formation (Middle Jurassic, Callovian) | Algeria |
Known from two juvenile specimens |  |
| Chenanisaurus | 2017 | Ouled Abdoun Basin (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | Morocco |
Potentially represents a lineage of abelisaurids endemic to Africa |  |
| Cristatusaurus | 1998 | Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian) | Niger |
Usually seen as a synonym of Suchomimus, although some studies consider it to be a valid genus[9] |  |
| Deltadromeus | 1996 | Kem Kem Group (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian) | Morocco |
Its precise phylogenetic position has been historically unstable, with multiple interpretations being suggested in the scientific literature[10][11][12][13] |  |
| Dicraeosaurus | 1914 | Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian to Tithonian) | Tanzania |
A short-necked, low-browsing sauropod. Two species are known |  |
| Dracovenator | 2005 | Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian) | South Africa |
Only known from fragments of a skull, but those are enough to tell that it was related to Dilophosaurus |  |
| Dysalotosaurus | 1919 | Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian) | Tanzania |
Known from multiple remains that revealed much about its life history,[14] diet[15] and even disease[16] |  |
| Elaphrosaurus | 1920 | Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian) | Tanzania |
Possessed a relatively shallow chest for a medium-sized theropod |  |
| Elrhazosaurus | 2009 | Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian) | Niger |
Closely related to Valdosaurus |  |
| Eocarcharia | 2008 | Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian) | Niger |
Originally thought to be a carcharodontosaurid but later research found it to be chimeric, with the holotype postorbital and referred skull roof likely belonging to a spinosaurid closely related to the contemporaneous Suchomimus, and the referred maxilla belonging to a distinct carcharodontosaurid[17] | .png) |
| Eocursor | 2007 | Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Sinemurian) | South Africa |
One of the most completely known early ornithischians |  |
| Eucnemesaurus | 1920 | Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, Carnian to Norian) | South Africa |
Some fossils assigned to this genus were originally interpreted as those of a giant herrerasaurid |  |
| Euskelosaurus | 1866 | Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, Norian to Rhaetian) | Lesotho South Africa Zimbabwe |
Originally thought to have been bow-legged |  |
| Geranosaurus | 1911 | Clarens Formation (Early Jurassic, Pliensbachian to Toarcian) | South Africa |
Poorly known but potentially a heterodontosaurid |  |
| Giraffatitan | 1988 | Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian to Tithonian) | Tanzania |
Popularly associated with Brachiosaurus but several differences between the two have been noted[18] |  |
| Gryponyx | 1911 | Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Sinemurian) | South Africa |
Although usually seen as a synonym of Massospondylus, at least one study has found it to be distantly related[19] | .jpg) |
| Heterodontosaurus | 1962 | Clarens Formation, Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Sinemurian) | South Africa |
Possessed three types of teeth, including analogues of incisors and tusks, as well as a keratinous beak |  |
| Igai | 2023 | Quseir Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian) | Egypt |
More closely related to European titanosaurs than to southern African ones |  |
| Ignavusaurus | 2010 | Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian) | Lesotho |
Only known from a single, mostly articulated juvenile skeleton with a badly crushed skull |  |
| Inosaurus | 1960 | Bahariya Formation?, Echkar Formation?, Tegama Group? (Early Cretaceous, Albian?) | Egypt? Niger |
Very poorly known | |
| Iyuku | 2022 | Kirkwood Formation (Early Cretaceous, Valanginian) | South Africa |
Uniquely known from an assemblage of mostly hatchling and juvenile fossils | |
| Janenschia | 1991 | Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian to Tithonian) | Tanzania |
Potentially a close relative of Bellusaurus, Haestasaurus and Tehuelchesaurus, all of which may form a unique clade of eusauropods with possible turiasaur affinities[7][20][21] |  |
| Jobaria | 1999 | Tiourarén Formation (Middle Jurassic to Late Jurassic, Bathonian to Oxfordian) | Niger |
Known from an almost complete skeleton |  |
| Kangnasaurus | 1915 | Kalahari Deposits Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian) | South Africa |
Comparisons have been made with dryosaurids[22] but at least two studies suggest a position within Elasmaria[23][24] |  |
| Karongasaurus | 2005 | Dinosaur Beds (Early Cretaceous, Aptian) |  Malawi |
Described from only a mandible and isolated teeth |  |
| Kentrosaurus | 1915 | Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian to Tithonian) | Tanzania |
Possessed two rows of plates that gradually transitioned into spikes towards the tail, as well as a long spike on each shoulder |  |
| Kholumolumo | 2020 | Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, Norian) | Lesotho |
Before its formal description, it had been informally referred to as "Kholumolumosaurus" and "Thotobolosaurus". The latter name means "trash heap lizard" in Sesotho, referring to how the holotype was originally found close to a trash heap |  |
| Kryptops | 2008 | Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian) | Niger |
Postcranial remains referred to this genus have been later found to come from an allosauroid, perhaps a metriacanthosaurid[17] |  |
| Ledumahadi | 2018 | Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Sinemurian) | South Africa |
One of the largest Early Jurassic dinosaurs, estimated as weighing 12 tonnes (26,000 lb) despite lacking columnar limbs like later sauropods[25] |  |
| Lesothosaurus | 1978 | Clarens Formation, Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Sinemurian) | Lesotho South Africa |
Possibly an opportunistic omnivore, feeding on meat during seasons when plants are not available[26] |  |
| Lurdusaurus | 1999 | Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian) | Niger |
The proportions of its body and limbs suggest it may have been a semiaquatic herbivore similar to a hippopotamus[27] |  |
| Lycorhinus | 1924 | Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Sinemurian) | South Africa |
Originally misidentified as a cynodont |  |
| Malawisaurus | 1993 | Dinosaur Beds (Early Cretaceous, Aptian) | Malawi |
Known from abundant material, including elements from the skull and osteoderms, but they may not represent a single taxon[28] |  |
| Mansourasaurus | 2018 | Quseir Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian) | Egypt |
One of the few Late Cretaceous sauropods known from Africa[29] |  |
| Massospondylus | 1854 | Bushveld Sandstone, Clarens Formation, Elliot Formation, Forest Sandstone (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Pliensbachian) | Lesotho South Africa Zimbabwe |
Abundant remains have been discovered. Several specimens were once assigned to their own genera and species |  |
| Mbiresaurus | 2022 | Pebbly Arkose Formation (Late Triassic, Carnian) | Zimbabwe |
One of the oldest dinosaurs known from Africa. Its discovery proves that the earliest dinosaurs were restricted to high latitudes[30] | |
| Melanorosaurus | 1924 | Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, Norian) | South Africa |
A robust, quadrupedal herbivore. Some specimens assigned to this genus may not represent the same taxon[8] |  |
| Meroktenos | 2016 | Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, Norian to Rhaetian) | Lesotho |
Its femur was unusually robust for an animal of its size |  |
| Minqaria | 2024 | Ouled Abdoun Basin (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | Morocco |
Known from a partial skull |  |
| Mnyamawamtuka | 2019 | Galula Formation (Early Cretaceous to Late Cretaceous, Aptian to Cenomanian) | Tanzania |
Its specific name, moyowamkia, is Kiswahili for "heart tail", which references the heart-shaped cross-section of its caudal vertebrae |  |
| Musankwa | 2024 | Pebbly Arkose Formation, (Late Triassic, Norian) | Zimbabwe |
The fourth dinosaur genus to be named from Zimbabwe |  |
| Ngwevu | 2019 | Clarens Formation (Early Jurassic, Pliensbachian to Toarcian) | South Africa |
Known from a skull originally assigned to Massospondylus. It was assigned to its own genus based on its unique proportions |  |
| Nigersaurus | 1999 | Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian) | Niger |
All of its teeth were at the front of its jaws, which were wider than the rest of its skull, an adaptation to low browsing |  |
| Nqwebasaurus | 2000 | Kirkwood Formation (Early Cretaceous, Berriasian) | South Africa |
The first non-avian coelurosaur named from mainland Africa |  |
| Orosaurus | 1867 | Elliot Formation? (Late Triassic, Norian to Rhaetian) | South Africa |
Probably a synonym of Euskelosaurus | |
| Ostafrikasaurus | 2012 | Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Tithonian) | Tanzania |
Described from a single tooth as an early spinosaurid[31] but ceratosaurid affinities have also been proposed[32] |  |
| Ouranosaurus | 1976 | Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian) | Niger |
Had long neural spines that projected from its vertebrae, which may have supported a sail or hump in life |  |
| Paralititan | 2001 | Bahariya Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian) | Egypt |
Would have lived in a tidal flat environment dominated by mangroves |  |
| Paranthodon | 1929 | Kirkwood Formation (Early Cretaceous, Berriasian to Valanginian) | South Africa |
Although only known from fragmentary specimens, they are enough to tell that it was a stegosaur |  |
| Pegomastax | 2012 | Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Sinemurian) | South Africa |
The morphology of its jaws and beak suggests a diet of tough plants |  |
| Phosphatotitan | 2026 | Ouled Abdoun Basin (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | Morocco |
A close relative of Argentinosaurus and Patagotitan, together forming the clade Argentinosauridae |  |
| Plateosauravus | 1932 | Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, Norian) | South Africa |
Known from multiple specimens, including those of juveniles |  |
| Pulanesaura | 2015 | Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Sinemurian) | South Africa |
A low browser that lacked the extremely long neck of later sauropods |  |
| Rebbachisaurus | 1954 | Kem Kem Group (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian) | Morocco |
Carried a row of elongated neural spines, which would have supported a ridge or low sail on its back |  |
| Rugops | 2004 | Echkar Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian) | Niger |
Preserves two rows of holes on the top of its skull, which may have anchored a display structure[33] or an armor-like dermis[34] |  |
| Rukwatitan | 2014 | Galula Formation (Early Cretaceous to Late Cretaceous, Albian to Cenomanian) | Tanzania |
One of the few titanosaurs known from central Africa, filling in a gap in their evolutionary history |  |
| Sauroniops | 2013 | Kem Kem Group (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian) | Morocco |
Only known from a single, thickened frontal. Suggested to be a synonym of Carcharodontosaurus[13] but this has been refuted[35] |  |
| Sefapanosaurus | 2015 | Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian) | South Africa |
Had a distinctive cross-shaped astragalus | |
| Shingopana | 2017 | Galula Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian) | Tanzania |
Most closely related to South American titanosaurs | |
| Spicomellus | 2021 | El Mers Group (Middle Jurassic, Bathonian) | Morocco |
The oldest ankylosaur known and the first one from Africa. Uniquely, its osteoderms were fused directly to its ribs[36] and had very long spikes in its neck and pelvis[37] |  |
| Spinophorosaurus | 2009 | Irhazer Shale (Middle Jurassic, Bajocian to Bathonian) | Niger |
Originally described as possessing a "thagomizer" similar to those of stegosaurs,[38] but these turned out to be misidentified clavicles.[39] A high browser with tall shoulders and an elevated neck[40] |  |
| Spinosaurus | 1915 | Aïn el Guettar Formation?, Bahariya Formation, Farak Formation, Kem Kem Group (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian) | Algeria Egypt Morocco Niger[41] Tunisia? |
Possessed a myriad of features that have been suggested to be evidence of a semiaquatic lifestyle, including webbed feet[42] and a paddle-like tail.[43] However, it is debated if it was a marine piscivore[44] or a shoreline generalist[45] |  |
| Spinostropheus | 2004 | Tiourarén Formation (Middle Jurassic to Late Jurassic, Bathonian to Oxfordian) | Niger |
Although often considered a close relative of Elaphrosaurus, these inferences are based on a specimen that cannot actually be referred to this genus[46] |  |
| Suchomimus | 1998 | Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian to Albian) | Niger |
Similar to Baryonyx but with a low sail on its back |  |
| Taleta | 2025 | Ouled Abdoun Basin (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | Morocco |
Closely related to and contemporary with Ajnabia and Minqaria[47] |  |
| Tameryraptor | 2025 | Bahariya Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian) | Egypt |
Based on destroyed fossils originally referred to Carcharodontosaurus | .png) |
| Tataouinea | 2013 | Aïn el Guettar Formation (Early Cretaceous, Albian) | Tunisia |
Its bones were extensively pneumatized, supporting the theory that sauropods had bird-like respiratory systems |  |
| Tazoudasaurus | 2004 | Azilal Formation (Early Jurassic, Toarcian) | Morocco |
One of the few Early Jurassic sauropods known from reasonably complete remains |  |
| Tendaguria | 2000 | Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Tithonian) | Tanzania |
The first definitive turiasaur known from Africa[7] |  |
| Thyreosaurus | 2024 | El Mers Group (Middle Jurassic, Bathonian) | Morocco |
May have possessed a recumbent dermal armor, an unusual feature among stegosaurs[48] | .png) |
| Tornieria | 1911 | Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian to Tithonian) | Tanzania |
Has been assigned to different genera throughout its history |  |
| Veterupristisaurus | 2011 | Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian to Tithonian) | Tanzania |
Known from a few vertebrae somewhat similar to those of Acrocanthosaurus |  |
| Vulcanodon | 1972 | Forest Sandstone (Early Jurassic, Sinemurian to Pliensbachian) | Zimbabwe |
Theropod teeth were found associated with the holotype |  |
| Wamweracaudia | 2019 | Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Tithonian) | Tanzania |
The first definitive mamenchisaurid known from outside Asia |
Invalid and potentially valid genera
- Aetonyx palustris: Considered a potential junior synonym of Massospondylus, but two more recent studies cast doubt on this.
- Aristosaurus erectus: Believed to be a synonym of Massospondylus, though this genus was found to be indeterminate by later research.
- Dromicosaurus gracilis: Usually considered synonymous with Massospondylus although it was later suggested to be an indeterminate sauropodomorph.
- Fabrosaurus australis: Sometimes considered to be part of a family of small ornithischians called fabrosaurids. It may potentially be a synonym of Lesothosaurus.
- Gigantoscelus molengraafi: Probably a synonym of Euskelosaurus, but this cannot be confirmed.
- Gyposaurus: The African species, G. capensis, may be a juvenile Massospondylus. A Chinese species has also been named, but it may not belong to this genus.
- Hortalotarsus skirtopodus: A possible synonym of Massospondylus.
- "Likhoelesaurus": Suggested to be a giant, early carnosaur but might actually be a pseudosuchian.
- Megapnosaurus: The African species, M. rhodesiensis, might belong to the genus Coelophysis. Another referred species, M. kayentakatae, probably needs its own genus name, as the current one, "Syntarsus", is preoccupied by an insect.
- Nyasasaurus parringtoni: Described in 2013 as the oldest known dinosaur, dating back to the Anisian, but both this date and its classification have been questioned.
- Sigilmassasaurus brevicollis: A spinosaurid contemporary with Spinosaurus. Its status as a distinct genus and/or species is uncertain.
- Torvosaurus: Teeth originally named as Megalosaurus ingens have been reassigned to this genus, but not as a distinct species.
Timeline
This is a timeline of selected dinosaurs from the list above. Time is measured in mya along the x-axis.
.svg){kind=small}