Spinosaurus mirabilis Identified in Niger’s Inland Sahara A team led by Paul Sereno re‑examined fossils first spotted in 2019 and confirmed a new sub‑species, Spinosaurus mirabilis, from a site in Niger roughly 600 miles from the Cretaceous shoreline [1]. The discovery emerged from a 2022 field effort that expanded the original find with a 20‑person crew. The team used solar‑powered laptops to generate 3D digital bone models in the desert, enabling rapid assembly of the skull.

Crest Measures Twelve Inches and Likely Keratin‑Sheathed The species’ name “mirabilis” references its striking 12‑inch scimitar‑shaped crest, which researchers infer was covered in keratin and possibly brightly colored [1]. High‑resolution scans reveal the crest’s curvature and attachment points, suggesting it functioned as a visual display structure. The crest’s size distinguishes the taxon from other spinosaurids known from coastal deposits.

Anatomy Points to Shallow‑Water Hunting Strategy Interlocking rows of conical teeth indicate a fish‑eating diet, while robust hind limbs imply the animal could wade in up to two meters of water and stalk prey in shallow traps [1]. The skeletal morphology contradicts earlier hypotheses of a fully aquatic lifestyle for spinosaurids. Findings were published on the cover of Science and a replica skull will appear at Chicago Children’s Museum’s Dinosaur Expedition exhibit.

Juvenile Iguanodontian From Liaoning Shows Dermal Spikes Fossils uncovered near Xiawujiazi, Liaoning Province, China, belong to a new species, Haolong dongi, a juvenile dated to about 125 million years ago in the Early Cretaceous [2]. Exceptional preservation allowed researchers to image individual cells and confirm the specimen’s age. X‑ray and ultrathin‑section microscopy demonstrated that the hollow spikes originated from the skin rather than bone, marking the first documented case of dermal spikes in an iguanodontian.

Spikes May Serve Defense, Thermoregulation, or Sensory Functions The research team, honoring paleontologist Dong Zhiming in the species name, proposes the spikes could deter predators, increase surface area for heat exchange, or act as sensory organs [2]. Because only a juvenile has been found, scientists stress the need for additional specimens to determine whether adults retained the spikes. The study highlights a previously unknown avenue of integument evolution among herbivorous dinosaurs.