New Spinosaurus Species Discovered in Central Sahara

Paleontologists unearth remarkable new dinosaur with massive scimitar-shaped crest

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A team of researchers led by University of Chicago professor Paul Sereno has discovered a new species of spinosaurid dinosaur, Spinosaurus mirabilis, in a remote region of the central Sahara desert in Niger. The new species features a striking, large scimitar-shaped crest on its skull, as well as interdigitating teeth adapted for catching fish, providing new insights into the evolution and ecology of these giant predatory dinosaurs.

Why it matters

The discovery of S. mirabilis adds an important new piece to the puzzle of spinosaurid evolution, as previous spinosaurid fossils have been found primarily in coastal regions, leading some experts to hypothesize they may have been fully aquatic. However, the new inland fossil site in Niger suggests these dinosaurs also inhabited forested river habitats far from the ocean.

The details

The team initially discovered the distinctive scimitar-shaped crest of S. mirabilis protruding from the desert surface in 2019, but it wasn't until returning with a larger team in 2022 and finding two additional crests that they realized they had uncovered a new species. Analysis of the crest's surface texture and interior vascular canals indicates it was likely sheathed in brightly colored keratin, serving as a display feature. The dinosaur's interdigitating upper and lower tooth rows also represent a specialized adaptation for catching slippery fish.

  • In November 2019, the initial fossil discovery was made in the central Sahara.
  • In 2022, the team returned and found two additional crests, confirming the new species.
  • The research paper describing S. mirabilis was published in Science in February 2026.

The players

Paul Sereno

Professor of Organismal Biology and Anatomy at the University of Chicago, and the leader of the 20-person team that discovered the new Spinosaurus species.

Spinosaurus mirabilis

A newly discovered species of spinosaurid dinosaur characterized by its large, scimitar-shaped crest and specialized fish-catching teeth.

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What they’re saying

“This find was so sudden and amazing, it was really emotional for our team. I'll forever cherish the moment in camp when we crowded around a laptop to look at the new species for the first time, after one member of our team generated 3D digital models of the bones we found to assemble the skull — on solar power in the middle of the Sahara. That's when the significance of the discovery really registered.”

— Paul Sereno, Professor of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, University of Chicago (Science)

What’s next

The team plans to continue excavating the fossil site in the central Sahara to uncover more specimens of Spinosaurus mirabilis and learn more about its ecology and evolution.

The takeaway

The discovery of Spinosaurus mirabilis in a remote inland region of the Sahara desert challenges previous assumptions about spinosaurid dinosaurs being fully aquatic, and provides new insights into the diversity and adaptations of these giant predatory theropods.