Overview
- A peer-reviewed paper published on 16 September 2026 formally names Dinodontosaurus isiyavamanda from fossils held at the Natural History Museum, London and from a 2012 field find.
- The team used micro-CT and 3D imaging to document unique skull and palate features that distinguish the Tanzanian specimens as a new species in the genus Dinodontosaurus.
- Phylogenetic analyses place the new species with South American Dinodontosaurus, making this the first confirmed record of the genus outside South America and indicating a faunal link between the continents.
- Because Dinodontosaurus is known from South American rocks with secure radiometric dates, the authors argue the mid-to-upper Lifua Member of the Manda Beds is likely late Ladinian to Carnian in age, which would make Tanzania’s candidate 'oldest' dinosaur fossils probably younger than previously thought.
- The study highlights the value of museum collections and modern imaging but notes that the proposed younger age rests on biostratigraphic correlation and that direct geochronology, fuller study of remaining Tanzanian material, and comparative work are needed next.