A skeleton found on the shore of Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe has been described as a new dinosaur species. Musango matusadonaensis was an early sauropodomorph from the Late Triassic.

Long, but relatively light

Musango measured roughly 4.5 metres and weighed an estimated 222 kilograms. It was about as long as a car but lightly built, walking on two legs rather than four. The species was an early relative of later giant sauropods such as Diplodocus.

Researchers recovered bones from the spine, ribs, arms, legs and feet, although the skull is missing. Their analysis suggests the animal was about eight years old, nearly fully grown, and had survived a serious injury or infection.

A new chapter in Africa’s dinosaur record

Musango is only the fifth dinosaur species to be formally described from Zimbabwe. It probably lived near ancient rivers and streams and may have been a herbivore or omnivore.

The word Musango means “living in the bush” in ChiShona. The species name matusadonaensis refers to Matusadona National Park near the discovery site.