Chicago Paleontologist Uncovers New Spinosaurus Species in Sahara

The fish-eating dinosaur had a dramatic sword-like crest and powerful claws.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A team led by University of Chicago paleontologist Paul Sereno has discovered a new species of Spinosaurus dinosaur, named Spinosaurus mirabilis, in the Sahara Desert of Niger, West Africa. The expedition recovered over 50 tons of fossils, allowing them to reconstruct the skeleton using advanced scanning technology and revealing the dinosaur's distinctive features, including a striking crest and long claws.

Why it matters

The discovery of Spinosaurus mirabilis provides a rare and valuable glimpse into a prehistoric world, offering scientists new insights into the evolution and behaviors of this enigmatic group of dinosaurs. The find has generated excitement around the globe and will be featured in an upcoming exhibit at the Chicago Children's Museum.

The details

Sereno's team first traveled to the remote Jenguebi region of the Sahara in 2019, finding initial jaw fragments with the help of a local guide. After being delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, they returned in 2022 and made the remarkable discovery, collecting an unprecedented amount of fossil material. Analysis revealed the new species, named Spinosaurus mirabilis or the "amazing" or "remarkable" Spinosaurus, which featured a dramatic sword-like crest and powerful claws adapted for catching and eating fish.

  • Sereno's first expedition to the Sahara took place in 2019.
  • The team was unable to return until 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The discovery was announced last week in a new paper published in the journal "Science".
  • Recreations of the Spinosaurus mirabilis skull and crest will go on display at the Chicago Children's Museum starting March 1, 2026.

The players

Paul Sereno

A paleontologist from the University of Chicago who led the expedition that discovered the new Spinosaurus species.

Spinosaurus mirabilis

The newly discovered species of Spinosaurus dinosaur, characterized by its dramatic sword-like crest and powerful claws adapted for catching and eating fish.

University of Chicago

The institution that Sereno is affiliated with and which supported the expedition that led to the Spinosaurus discovery.

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What they’re saying

“It was everything it was meant to be. We collected more bone — 50 tons — than probably any team will ever collect, under the harshest conditions.”

— Paul Sereno, Paleontologist (Science)

“We knew that no one had ever seen anything like this. We began to understand the piece we had picked up belonged to this exotic crest — like a scimitar, like a sword coming off the top of the head. It was such an emotional moment, because this dinosaur is so exalted, it's so bizarre, it's so rare. No one had found that much of a Spinosaurus since 1915.”

— Paul Sereno, Paleontologist (Science)

“You don't want to get close to this animal. It is using its arms much more than T. rex was using its arms, and it was using its head to catch fish and to gnaw at things, and its arms would dice and slice.”

— Paul Sereno, Paleontologist (Science)

What’s next

Sereno plans to return to Niger for future expeditions and is working to establish a fossil lab and museum in the country to further study and showcase the Spinosaurus mirabilis discovery.

The takeaway

The discovery of Spinosaurus mirabilis in the Sahara Desert represents a major paleontological breakthrough, providing scientists with unprecedented insights into the evolution and behaviors of this unique group of dinosaurs. The find has captured the public's imagination and will be featured in an upcoming exhibit, further sparking interest in the wonders of the prehistoric world.