Nyasasaurus

Nee-ah-sah-sore-us.
By Nisha Yadav
Published on

Nisha Yadav

Physicist

Nisha Yadav is a dedicated physicist whose work bridges the gap between physics and paleontology. With a deep interest in the processes that preserve ancient life, she explores how physical principles govern fossilization and the preservation of extinct species.

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Yadav, N. (2014, March 6). Nyasasaurus. Prehistoric-wildlife. https://www.prehistoric-wildlife.com/species/nyasasaurus/

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Name

Nyasasaurus ‭(‬Nyaza lizard‭)‬.

Phonetic

Nee-ah-sah-sore-us.

Named By

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Reptilia,‭ ‬Dinosauriformes.‭

Diet

Uncertain.

Species

N.‭ ‬parringtoni‭

Size

Up to about‭ ‬3‭ ‬meters long.

Known locations

Tanzania‭ ‬-‭ ‬Manda Formation.

Time Period

Anisian of the Triassic.

Fossil representation

Partial post cranial skeleton including vertebrae,‭ ‬and right humerus.

In Depth

       Nyasasaurus made headlines all around the world when it was discovered,‭ ‬because this genus might just represent the oldest dinosaur so far discovered.‭ ‬Nyasasaurus has the right number of sacral vertebrae expected,‭ ‬and the humerus does display rapid growth patterns just like those known from other dinosaur genera.‭ ‬Unfortunately,‭ ‬the overall incompleteness of the Nyasasaurus‭ ‬holotype means that it is impossible to be certain if it actually is a dinosaur.‭ ‬If not,‭ ‬then Nyasasaurus would still be a reptile that came very close to actually being one.‭ ‬Future discoveries will likely shed more light upon exactly when and how dinosaurs finally split from their archosaur ancestors.

Further Reading

-‭ ‬The oldest dinosaur‭? ‬A Middle Triassic dinosauriform from Tanzania,‭ ‬Sterling J.‭ ‬Nesbitt,‭ ‬Paul M.‭ ‬Barrett,‭ ‬Sarah Werning,‭ ‬Christian A.‭ ‬Sidor‭ & ‬Alan J.‭ ‬Charig‭ ‬-‭ ‬2013.

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