Monday 12 January 2015

Saharastega moradiensis

Saharastega is the most primitive Temnospondyl from Gondwana related to the Edopoidea, a group that flourished during the Late Carboniferous.

Saharastega lived during the Upper Permian Period and was discovered in the Moradi formation, Northwestern Niger. It is suggested that along with Nigerpeton, Saharastega is the most primitive known temnospondyli and estimated at a length of 1.8 metres (5.9 feet). The rocks entombing Saharastega suggest an aquatic habitat with evidence of an oasis.


Name
Saharastega moradiensis
Authority
Sidor, O'Keefe, Damiani, Steyer, Smith, Larsson, Sereno, Ide and Maga, 2005
Meaning of generic name
Sahara, for the Sahara Desert, and stege (Greek), meaning roof
Meaning of specific name
Moradi, the formation from which the fossil was recovered, and ending -ensis (Latin), referring to place or locality or other of sth’s origin or habitat.
Size
Skull length: 45 cm , Length: .
Remains
Holotype (MNN MOR73): nearly complete skull lacking lower jaws.

Referred materials: [none so far?]
Age and Distribution
Horizon: Moradi Formation (Izégouandane Group, Izégouandane Basin), Upper Permian (Wuchiapingian).

Locality: 20 km west of Arlit, north-central Niger.
Classification
Temnospondyli
Further Reading
Sidor, C. A., F. R. O’Keefe, R. Damiani, J.-S. Steyer, R. M. H. Smith, H. C. E. Larsson, P. C. Sereno, O. Ide, and A. Maga. 2005. Permian tetrapods from the Sahara show climate-controlled endemism in Pangaea. Nature 434:886–889.

Damiani, R., C.A. Sidor, J.-S. Steyer, R.M.H. Smith, F.R. O'Keefe, H.C.E. Larsson, A. Maga, O. Ide. The vertebrate fauna of the Upper Permian of Niger—V, The primitive temnospondyl Saharastega moradiensis. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 26: 559-572

Nigersaurus taqueti

Nigersaurus is the most common vertebrate fossil from the Nigerian Elrhaz Formation. It had hundreds of very small sharp teeth and its skull was oriented downward indicating it was a low level browser.

Name
Nigersaurus taqueti
Authority
Sereno, Beck, Dutheil, Larsson, Lyon, Moussa, Sadleir, Sidor, Varricchio, Wilson G. P. & Wilson, J. A. 1999
Meaning of generic name
Niger, for the Republique du Niger; sauros, lizard (Greek).
Meaning of specific name
In honour of French paleontologist Philippe Taquet.
Size
Length: 9 m, Skull length:
Remains
Holotype (MNN GAD512): Partial articulated skeleton that includes a partial skull, neck, scapula, forelimbs, and hind limbs

Referred materials: Several partial skeletons and isolated bones.
Age and Distribution
Horizon: Elrhaz Formation, Tegama Group. Lower Cretaceous (Aptian-Albian). Locality: Gadoufaoua region, Niger.

Classification
Dinosauria Saurischia Sauropodomorpha Sauropoda Diplodocoidea Rebbachisauridae
Further Reading
P. C. Sereno, A. L. Beck, D. B. Dutheil, H. C. E. Larsson, G. H. Lyon, B. Moussa, R. W. Sadleir, C. A. Sidor, D. J. Varricchio, G. P. Wilson, and J. A. Wilson. 1999. Cretaceous sauropods from the Sahara and the uneven rate of skeletal evolution among dinosaurs. Science 286:1342-1347.

P. C. Sereno and J. A. Wilson. 2005. Structure and evolution of a sauropod tooth battery. In J. A. Wilson & K. A. Curry Rogers (eds.), The Sauropods: Evolution and Paleobiology. University of California Press, Berkeley 157-177.

P.C. Sereno, J.A. Wilson L.M. Witmer J.A. Whitlock, A. Maga A, et al. 2007 Structural Extremes in a Cretaceous Dinosaur. PLoS ONE 2(11): e1230.
Synonyms
Rebbachisaurus tamesnensis Lapparent, 1960

Kryptops palaios

Kryptops palaios is a basal abelisaurid from the Early Cretaceous of Niger. Described by Sereno and Brusatte in 2008, it is known by fragmentary remains that hint to a theropod with short and broad snout and tall vertebral spines. Its length is estimated to be 6-7 m. Contemporary dinosaurs include the fish eating theropod Suchomimus and the unusual ornithopod Ouranosaurus.

Name
Kryptops palaios
Authority
Sereno & Brusatte, 2008
Meaning of generic name
From Greek krypto, covered; ops, face.
Meaning of specific name
From Greek palaios, old
Size
Length: 6-7 m
Remains
Holotype (MNN GAD1): partial skeleton including a left maxilla, several partial vertebrae and ribs, and an articulated pelvic girdle and sacrum
Age and Distribution
Horizon: Elrhaz Formation. Lower Cretaceous (Aptian-Albian)

Locality: “Gadoufaoua” on the western edge of the Ténéré Desert, Niger.
Classification
Dinosauria Saurischia Theropoda Ceratosauria Abelisauroidea Abelisauridae
Further Reading
P. C. Sereno and S. L. Brusatte. 2008. Basal abelisaurid and carcharodontosaurid theropods from the Lower Cretaceous Elrhaz Formation of Niger. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 53(1):15-46.

Eocarcharia dinops

Eocarcharia from the Early Cretaceous of Niger is a basal Carcharodontosaurid closely related to the North American tall-spined Acrocanthosaurus. First described by Sereno and Brusatte in 2008 together with the basal ablisaur Kryptops, it is known from fragmentary skull materials and teeth.

Name
Eocarcharia dinops
Authority
Sereno & Brusatte, 2008
Meaning of generic name
Dawn Shark
Meaning of specific name
Scary face
Size
Length: ? m
Remains
Skull fragments and isolated teeth.
Age and Distribution
Gadoufaoua, Elrhaz Formation (Aptian/Albian terrestrial horizon) Niger
Classification
Dinosauria Saurischia Theropoda Carnosauria Carcharodontosauridae
Further Reading
P. C. Sereno and S. L. Brusatte. 2008. Basal abelisaurid and carcharodontosaurid theropods from the Lower Cretaceous Elrhaz Formation of Niger. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 53(1):15-46.

Wednesday 7 January 2015

Rebbachisaurus garasbae

Rebbachisaurus was a large sauropod dinosaur that grew to lengths of around 20 metres. This animal had a very long neck, small head and whip like tail, which are all common features of sauropods. Rebbachisaurus lived alongside many carnivorous (meat eating) dinosaurs, like Carcharodontosaurus, Rebbachisaurus size was its main defense. One species is presently recognized, R. garasbae, the type species from Morocco. "R. tamesnensis" from Niger is considered a subjective synonym of Nigersaurus taqueti. "R. tessonei" from Argentina has been transferred to the genus Limaysaurus.

Name
Rebbachisaurus garasbae
Authority
Lavocat, 1954
Meaning of generic name
“Rebbach lizard”
Size
Length: 20 m, Skull length:
Remains
Holotype (MNHN): postcranial elements (scapula, a humerus, caudal dorsal vetebrae)

Age and Distribution
Horizon: Tegana Formation. Lower Cretaceous (Albian).

Locality: Ksar-es-Souk, Morocco.

Classification
Dinosauria Saurischia Sauropodomorpha Sauropoda Diplodocoidea Rebbachisauridae
Further Reading
R. Lavocat. 1954. Sur les dinosauriens du Continental Intercalaire des Kem-Kem de la Daoura [On the dinosaurs from the Continental Intercalaire of the Kem Kem of the Doura]. Comptes Rendus 19th Intenational Geological Congress, 1952 1:65-68.
Images
February 25, 2009, by Nobu Tamura
October 23, 2011, by Nobu Tamura
Blog post by Nobu Tamura (images above are from his other blog Spinops
Paleoexhibit : A New Rebbachisaurid Sauropod from the Isle of Wight.
http://paleoexhibit.blogspot.com/2011/10/new-rebbachisaurid-sauropod-from-isle.html

Nigerpeton ricqlesi

Nigerpeton is a large Temnospondyl and is the last surviving representative of a group that flourished during the Late carboniferous, the Edopoids.

Name
Nigerpeton ricqlesi
Authority
Sidor, O'Keefe, Damiani, Steyer, Smith, Larsson, Sereno, Ide and Maga, 2005
Meaning of generic name
Niger, for the country, and herpeton (Greek), meaning crawler
Meaning of specific name
ricqlesi, named for Armand de Ricqlès
Size
Skull length: 60 cm, Length: .
Remains
Holotype (MNN MOR69): partial skull and associated atlas vertebrae.

Referred materials: MNN MOR70 (skull); MNN MOR83 (three isolated sacral neural arches with associated ribs); MNN MOR82 (partial femur).

Age and Distribution
Horizon: Moradi Formation (Izégouandane Group, Izégouandane Basin), Upper Permian (Wuchiapingian).

Locality: 20 km west of Arlit, north-central Niger.

Classification
Temnospondyli Edopoidea
Further Reading
Sidor, C. A., F. R. O’Keefe, R. Damiani, J.-S. Steyer, R. M. H. Smith, H. C. E. Larsson, P. C. Sereno, O. Ide, and A. Maga. 2005. Permian tetrapods from the Sahara show climate-controlled endemism in Pangaea. Nature 434:886–889.

Jobaria tiguidensis

Jobaria was a relatively large primitive sauropod dinosaur with a rather short neck; it reached lengths of around 21 m (69 ft). It was discovered in the fall of 1997 during an expedition to Niger's Sahara Desert, led by palaeontologist Paul Sereno. It was first suggested that Jobaria lived during the Early Cretaceous Period, however later studies show that it lived during the Middle Jurassic Period. A juvenile Jobaria discovered at the site in Niger yielded tooth marks on the ribs, suggesting the specimen was preyed upon, perhaps by the dinosaur Afrovenator.

Name
Jobaria tiguidensis
Authority
Sereno, Beck, Dutheil, Larsson, Lyon, Moussa, Sadleir, Sidor, Varricchio, Wilson G. P. & Wilson, J. A. 1999
Meaning of generic name
Jobar-, Jobar (Tamacheck); -ia, pertaining to (Greek). Named after the mythical creature Jobar, to whom local Touregs had attributed the exposed bones.

[Meaning they thought people had seen Jobarias, how do we know they were wrong?]

Meaning of specific name
Tiguidi- (Tamacheck); -ensis, [originating ]from (Latin) after the Falaise de Tiguidi, a cliff near the base of which lie the horizons yielding all of its remains.
Size
Length: 21 m, Skull length:

[Unknown, i.e. skull missing, i. e. the Touareg’s can’t be proven wrong about Jobar by exposing them to vastly different skull.]

Remains
Holotype (MNN TIG3): Partial articulated skeleton including the axis, forelimbs and hind limbs, pubes, and most of the tail.

Referred materials: Several partial skeletons and isolated bones.

Age and Distribution
Horizon: Tiourarén Formation. Middle Jurassic (Bathonian-Oxfordian). Locality: Tamerát, Niger.
Classification
D inosauria Saurischia Sauropodomorpha Sauropoda Diplodocoidea
Further Reading
P. C. Sereno, A. L. Beck, D. B. Dutheil, H. C. E. Larsson, G. H. Lyon, B. Moussa, R. W. Sadleir, C. A. Sidor, D. J. Varricchio, G. P. Wilson, and J. A. Wilson. 1999. Cretaceous sauropods from the Sahara and the uneven rate of skeletal evolution among dinosaurs. Science 286:1342-1347.
Synonyms
Rebbachisaurus tamesnensis Lapparent, 1960
Image
March 2, 2013 by Nobu Tamura

Afrovenator abakensis

Afrovenator is known from a single nearly complete skeleton including a partial skull from the Middle Jurassic of Niger. The Tiouraren Formation in which Afrovenator was found was originally thought to be Early Cretaceous but new studies indicate it is Middle Jurassic.

Name
Afrovenator abakensis
Authority
Sereno, Wilson, Larsson, Dutheil and Sues, 1994
Meaning of generic name
African Hunter
Meaning of specific name
“The specific name refers to Abaka, the Tuareg name for the region of Niger where the fossil was found.” Tuareg for Agadez, then?
Size
Skull length: 90 cm, Length: 9 m
Remains
Holotype (UC UBA 1): Nearly complete skeleton.
Age and Distribution
Horizon: Tiourarén Formation. Middle Jurassic (Bathonian-Oxfordian)

[Formerly classified as Early Cretaceous!]

Type locality: Department of Agadez, Niger
Classification
Dinosauria Saurischia Theropoda Spinosauroidea Megalosauridae
Further Reading
P. C. Sereno, J. A. Wilson, H. C. E. Larsson, D. B. Dutheil, and H.-D. Sues. 1994. Early Cretaceous dinosaurs from the Sahara. Science 266(5183):267-271.
Images
By Nobu Tamura March 2, 2013
September 26, 2008, by Nobu Tamura

Niger

Niger on Palaeocritti

  • ?



  • Irhazer Group, Niger, Lower Cretaceous (Lower Berriasian-Upper Barremian)



  • Elrhaz Formation, Tegama Group, Niger, Upper Cretaceous (Aptian-Albian)

    • Anatosuchus minor (Crocodylomorpha Notosuchia)
    • Araripesuchus wegeneri (Crocodylomorpha Notosuchia)
    • Elrhazosaurus nigeriensis (Ornithopoda Iguanodontia Dryosauridae)
    • Lurdusaurus arenatus (Ornithopoda Iguanodontia Iguanodontoidea)
    • Ouranosaurus nigeriensis (Ornithopoda Iguanodontia Hadrosauroidea)
    • Nigersaurus taqueti (Sauropoda Diplodocoidea Rebbachisauridae)
    • Kryptops palaios (Theropoda Ceratosauria Abelisauroidea Abelisauridae)
    • Eocarcharia dinops (Theropoda Carnosauria Carcharodontosauridae)
    • Carcharodontosaurus saharicus (Theropoda Carnosauria Carcharodontosauridae)
    • Suchomimus tenerensis (Theropoda Spinosauroidea Spinosauridae)


  • Tegama Group, Niger, Lower-Upper Cretaceous (Lower Albian- Lower Cenomanian)

    • Aegyptosaurus baharijensis (Sauropoda Macronaria Titanosauria)
    • Bahariasaurus ingens (Theropoda Ceratosauria Bahariasauridae)


  • Echkar Formation, Tegama Group, Niger, Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian)

Algeria

Algeria on Palaeocritti
  • ?
  • El Kohol, Algeria, Eocene
    • Eremosuchus elkoholicus (Crocodylomorpha Sebecosuchia Baurusuchidae)

Carcharodontosaurus saharicus

Carcharodontosaurus was a large meat-eating theropod from the Early Cretaceous of Africa. Its huge skull with powerful jaw equipped with long serrated teeth make it a formidable predator.

Carcharodontosaurus was originally described by French paleontologists Deperet and Savornin in 1925 as a species of Megalosaurus from fragmentary remains found in the desert of Algeria. The name Carcharodontosaurus was coined by Stromer in 1931. The original material was destroyed during WWII but additional fossils were found later. In 2007, Brusatte and Sereno described a new species from Niger, C. iguidensis.


Name
Carcharodontosaurus saharicus
Authority
(Deperet & Savornin, 1925) Stromer, 1931
Meaning of generic name
Carcharodon (Jagged teeth) Shark Lizard
Meaning of specific name
From Sahara
Size
Length: 13.5 m
Remains
Fragmentary skull and associated postcrania.
Age and Distribution
  • Baharija Formation (Cenomanian), Marsa Matruh Egypt;
  • Tegana Formation Ksar-es-Souk Morocco;
  • Chenini Formation "Conitental intercalaire" Medinine, Tunisia;
  • "Continental intercalaire" (Gharyan) Lybia;
  • "Ci" Adrar Tamenghest Wargla (Albian), Algeria;
  • "Ci" Agadez, Niger
Classification
Dinosauria Saurischia Theropoda Carnosauria Carcharodontosauridae
Further Reading
C. Depéret and J. Savornin. 1925. Sur la découverte d'une faune de Vertébrés albiens à Timimoun (Sahara occidental) [On the discovery of a fauna of Albian vertebrates at Timimoun (western Sahara)]. Comptes Rendus des Hebdomadaires des Seances de l'Academie des Sciences à Paris 181:1108-1111.

S. Brusatte and P. C. Sereno. 2007. A new species of Carcharodontosaurus (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Cenomanian of Niger and a revision of the genus. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 27(4):902-916
Synonyms
Megalosaurus saharicus Deperet & Savornin, 1925; Dryptosaurus saharicus (Deperet & Savornin, 1925)
Image
By Nobu Tamura, March 6, 2007