Nigersaurus was named after the West African country exactly where its fossils have already been identified: The Republic of Niger. Back again when this animal roamed, forests and braided rivers protected the landscape. (Nigersaurus would've needed to watch out for Sarcosuchus, a massive relative of recent crocodiles.)
Nigersaurus did not exhibit the same modifications found within the jaws of other dinosaurs with dental batteries, or mammals with elaborate chewing capabilities. The lessen jaw was L-formed and divided in to the subcylindrical transverse ramus, which contained the teeth, along with the again ramus, which was far more lightweight and was The placement for almost all of the muscle attachments. It had been unique in the tooth row expanded to the perimeters from the airplane of the main ramus on the decreased jaw.
Over and above its paleontological importance, Nigersaurus has obtained attention on the web as a result of its identify. Some Web memes, specially the "Do not Google" development, have highlighted the dinosaur as "the a person with 500 teeth.
Nigersaurus, a rebbachisaurid sauropod from the center Cretaceous period, was uncovered in the Elrhaz Development in Niger. Its title, meaning “Niger’s lizard,” was specified following the invention of more finish stays in 1999, Though its fossils were very first explained in 1976.
The dental construction of Nigersaurus delivers priceless insights in to the dietary and ecological adaptations of sauropods. Its exclusive dental arrangement and swift tooth alternative system highlight the assorted evolutionary methods that dinosaurs used to prosper within their environments.
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As we continue on to review this intriguing creature, we have been reminded of the intricate and assorted paths that evolution will take.
Nigersaurus also bears indications of minimal-angle tooth-to-tooth don on The within from the maxillary crowns, which suggests that jaw movement was limited to specific up-and-down motions. Worn teeth in the lower jaw have not nonetheless been found, but They can be predicted to show opposing tooth-to-tooth have on. The opportunity to raise their heads well earlier mentioned the bottom isn't going to necessarily suggest they browsed on goods there, along with the small neck of Nigersaurus might have restricted the searching array in comparison to other diplodocoids.[three]
It experienced a large muzzle full of a lot more than five hundred teeth, which ended up replaced in a swift fee: about each fourteen times. The jaws may have borne a keratinous sheath. Unlike other tetrapods, the tooth-bearing bones of its jaws were being rotated transversely relative to the rest of the skull, so that all of its teeth were being Situated far into the entrance.
And what a skeleton it had been! The newfound fossils gave us our first think about the dino's complicated dental batteries and vacuum cleaner mouth. Sereno named the species Nigersaurus taqueti — being an homage to French paleontologist Philippe Taquet — in 1999.
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Close by lay A part of the spine as well as hip bones. This was a mean client—the bones are from the skeleton that could evaluate about 30 ft extensive! We hope to locate far more proof of the sharp-toothed creature Nigersaurus as the sphere season goes on.
The very first fossils of Nigersaurus have been found out within the Elrhaz Formation of Niger inside the 12 months 1997. Having said that, additional examine disclosed that Nigersaurus was really a member of a distinct team of sauropods known as the rebbachisaurids.
Applying evidence from CT scans and 3D/Personal computer modeling, scientists have established the sauropod possible habitually held its head downwards, toward the ground — Though This can be hotly debated.