Discovered in 2018 along the shoreline of Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe, Musankwa offers a unique glimpse into the early evolutionary stages of sauropodomorphs. It lived during the late Triassic.

Musankwa name pays homage to the houseboat used during the field expeditions that led to its discovery (Tonga language). This name encapsulates both the cultural context and the scientific significance of the find, highlighting the convergence of human history and paleontological exploration.

Musankwa Key Facts

Musankwa Origins, Taxonomy and Timeline

The name Musankwa is both evocative and culturally significant. Derived from the Tonga language (a Bantu language spoken in Zimbabwe and Zambia, along the Zambezi river), it means “Boy Close to Marriage,” and refers to the name of the houseboat that served as home and laboratory for the paleontologists during their field expeditions on Lake Kariba in 2017 and 2018. This poetic name bridge the gap between ancient history and modern exploration. The species name M. sanyatiensis refers to the Sanyati river, whose original course was near the discovery site (Spurwing island) and is now submerged by Lake Kariba. 

Taxonomically, Musankwa is classified within the Massopoda, an early-diverging clade of sauropodomorph. The type species, Musankwa sanyatiensis is the sole member of the genus. This classification places it among early sauropodomorphs, bipedal dinosaurs that were precursors to the giant quadrupedal sauropods of the later Jurassic Period. These early sauropodomorphs are crucial for understanding the evolution of locomotion.

Musankwa lived during the Norian (Late Triassic) and the outcrop it was found on is contemporary of the lower Elliot Formation in South Africa (219 to 208.5 Ma). This time frame is notable for the diversification of early dinosaurs and the establishment of many foundational dinosaur lineages. The discovery of Musankwa provides valuable insights into the fauna of this era, highlighting the evolutionary experiments that would eventually lead to the dominance of dinosaurs in the Jurassic and Cretaceous period.

Discovery & Fossil Evidence

Musankwa was discovered by the team led by Paul Barrett in 2018 on “Spurwing East Paleosol” site on Spurwing Island, Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe. This site, located along the northeastern shoreline of the lake, offered a rich deposit of Late Triassic sediments, providing a well-preserved context for the discovery. The outcrops (Pebbly Arkose Formation) are correlated to the Elliot Formation (South Africa) of the Karoo Supergroup.

The holotype, designated as NHMZ 2521, includes a partially articulated hind limb, consisting of a right femur, tibia, and astragalus. These fossils were remarkably well-preserved, allowing paleontologists to identify a new taxon. The publication of Barrett et al., 2018 mentionned that part of the forelimbs were found, but did not survive collection and preparation. 

Musankwa Size and Description

Musankwa, though not as gigantic as its Jurassic descendants, was an impressive creature in its own right. Its body was robust and well-proportioned, designed for a life of foraging and navigating its environment.

Short description of Musankwa

Physically, Musankwa had a sturdy body equipped with powerful limbs for bipedal movement. No other bones outside the hindlimbs were fully preserved, but based on close related taxa, its head was likely relatively small and adapted to a diet of tough vegetation. The neck was likely moderately long, supporting its ability to browse low-lying plants and foliage. 

The robust femur and tibia suggest a strong, weight-bearing structure. The forelimbs were possibly slightly shorter than the hind limbs (a common trait among early sauropodomorphs, but in the case of Musankwa, the distal part of the fibula that was found on site was fragile and did not survive collection and preparation). This limb structure contributed to a slightly sloping back, enhancing its stability and movement. While there are no direct clues on the bones to determine the locomotion of Musankwa, it might have been an obligated biped like other basal sauropodomorphs.

Musankwa possesses distinct anatomical characters from other sauropodomorphs. This includes a unique shape of the femur fourth trochanter (a dinosaur anatomical part on the femur). The base of the fourth trochanter is straight and has a central position on the posterior face of the proximal part of the femur.

Size and Weight of Type Species

Musankwa sanyatiensis body size was calculated by Barret et al., 2024 using the minimum femoral circumference and the formula developed by Campione et al., 2014 for bipedal taxa. Results indicate an estimated body mass of 851 pounds. Keep in mind this is an estimate.

Making it much lighter than the more derived Triassic-Jurassic sauropods (Ledumahadi weighed about 13 tons). Musankwa was also much lighter than his sauropodomorph relatives. Massospondylus for example weighed around 1200 pounds. Throughout evolution, sauropods went from a bipedal to a quadrupedal locomotion. This correlated with a massive increase of weight, from 20 pounds (of the early-diverging sauropodomorph) to 80-100 tons for the biggest Cretaceous sauropods. You can read our guide to Sauropods to learn more about the giants that roamed the earth long before us.

The initial publication of Musankwa does not mention its size, but based on the hindlimbs measurement and in comparison to other Triassic sauropodomorphs, we can roughly estimate some values. Length estimates place it at approximately 18.75 feet, while its height could have been close to 7.5 feet tall at the hips. All suggest it was well-adapted to browsing vegetation at various heights, from ground level to mid-level foliage.

Contemporary Dinosaurs

One of the dinosaurs that shared the landscape with Musankwa was Plateosaurus, another basal sauropodomorph from Europe. While some specimens of Plateosaurus would have been bigger and heavier (up to 33 feet and 4 tons), both taxa would have lived and foraged in the same ecosystem. Much more is known on Plateosaurus, with several specimens and species discovered. Musankwa however is new to science, so more material is needed to compare the two taxa.

Another dinosaur that shared the landscape with Musankwa is Mbiresaurus. This early dinosaur, while being slightly more recent than Musankwa, was also discovered in the Pebbly Arkose Formation in Zimbabwe and adds to the diversity of the understudy region’s fauna. Mbiresaurus, another bipedal sauropodomorph, might have had a mixed diet, including both plants and small animals. Its presence alongside Musankwa indicates a rich, biodiverse environment during the Late Triassic in nowadays Southern Africa. The varied diet of Mbiresaurus would have allowed it to exploit different ecological niches, reducing competition with strictly herbivorous dinosaurs like Musankwa and further contributing to the ecosystem’s complexity.

Interesting Points about Musankwa

Musankwa in its Natural Habitat

Musankwa thrived in a lush, verdant environment during the Late Triassic. Now in Zimbabwe, the area of Lake Kariba was dominated by dense forests and abundant vegetation in Triassic times. Providing ample food sources for herbivores like Musankwa. The climate was warm and humid, supporting a diverse ecosystem where various dinosaur species could coexist.

As an herbivore, Musankwa primarily fed on plants, using its beaked mouth to feed on ferns, cycads, and other vegetation. Its robust limbs and moderately long neck allowed it to efficiently browse various levels of vegetation. Letting it adapt to the availability of plant life in its environment. This feeding behavior helped shape the vegetation structure, promoting growth and diversity among plant species.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

The information in this article is based on various sources, drawing on scientific research, fossil evidence, and expert analysis. The aim is to provide a comprehensive and accurate overview of Musankwa. However, please be aware that our understanding of dinosaurs and their world is constantly evolving as new discoveries are made.

Article last fact checked: Joey Arboleda, 07–05-2024

Featured Image Credit: UnexpectedDinoLesson, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons