Scientists discovered matching dinosaur footprints on continents 6,000 kilometers apart

Dinosaurs left footprints in Brazil and Cameroon 120 million years ago. (Southern Methodist University)

120 million years agothree-toed carnivorous dinosaurs left their footprints in what is now Brazil and Cameroon. Louis Jacobsthe paleontologist of the Southern Methodist University (SMU)states that these footprints date back to the Early Cretaceous and were part of the supercontinent Gondwana.

This discovery, published by the New Mexico Museum of Natural Historyreveals that before South America and Africa separated, dinosaurs traveled freely between the two land masses.

The study cited by KeynoteUSA, which examined more than 260 footprints, reveals that they were imprinted in mud and silt alongside ancient rivers and lakes. The pattern of footprints was found nearly 6,000 kilometers apart, suggesting that these lands were once connected. Scientists determined that the footprints were similar in age, shape and geological context, indicating biogeographic continuity in that era.

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Theropod and sauropod footprints suggest historical connection between South America and Africa. (Southern Methodist University)

Jacobs explained that one of the youngest and closest geological connections between Africa and South America It was the “elbow” of the northeast of Brazilwhich was located along the coast of what is now Cameroon. “The two continents were continuous along that narrow stretch, so animals on either side of that connection could potentially move across it.” said Jacobs In a press release from the SMU quoted by KeynoteUSA.

According to the study’s findings, South America and Africa began to separate approximately 140 million years ago, eventually giving rise to the South Atlantic Ocean.

The research also found that most of the footprints belonged to theropods, a group of three-toed carnivorous dinosaurs, although some footprints were from sauropods or herbivorous ornithopods. This discovery suggests a wide variety of fauna moving through those ancient river valleys.foraging and migrating in response to seasonal and ecological changes.

Fossils from Brazil and Cameroon show continuous biogeography in Gondwana. (Southern Methodist University)

The formation of basins in geological features known as “half-grabens” occurred as the continents were moving apart. These basins, originated by faults and tectonic movements, were filled with rivers and lakes that left muddy sedimentsthus contributing to the preservation of the traces.

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Scientists found evidence of these formations both in the Borborema region in Brazilas in the Koum basin in Cameroonaccording to KeynoteUSA.

The research provides unique insight into how geology and paleobiology contribute to our understanding of the ancient world. Diana Vineyardco-author of the study and research associate at SMUsaid the tracks “tell us not only about the diversity of life, but also about how these dinosaurs moved and lived in their natural environments,” USA Today quoted him as saying.

Researchers found more than 260 dinosaur footprints from the Early Cretaceous. (Southern Methodist University)

While dinosaur fossils are a valuable tool for understanding what species inhabited the Earth, fossil footprints offer a unique perspective by documenting dinosaur behavior and ecology. Jacobs He stated that while the fossil records of bones tell us “who” these animals were, the footprints reveal to us part of the story of “how” they lived.

The footprints in Cameroon They were first discovered in the 1980s, and the colleague of Jacobs, Professor Ismar de Souza Carvalho of the Federal University of Rio de Janeirohad been studying the traces of Brazil.

Both researchers, Jacobs and Carvalhodedicated decades to consolidating new and existing research. “We wanted to bring together the new geological and paleontological evidence that is evolving to tell a more specific story of how, where and when the dispersal of these animals between the continents occurred.“, he concluded Jacobs.

This recent study was published in honor of Martin Lockleya pioneer in the field of dinosaur footprint studies, researchers reported.

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