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The dinosaur genus, Afromimus was identified by studying fragmentary remains of parts of a dinosaur skeleton found in the Gadoufaoua locality of Niger in West Africa. The fossils were discovered in 1997. The specimen found there are now preserved in the national museum of Niger, the Musée National Boubou Hama in Niamey. In 2017, Prof. Paul Sereno, a paleontology professor at the University of Chicago, described Afromimus as a new genus of dinosaurs that mimic the characteristics of ornithomimosaurs. The name combines the Latin prefix 'Afro', referring to Africa, and the Greek term 'mimos', meaning 'mimic'. Later in 2019, Mauricio Cerroni re-examined the scientific classification of Afromimus with his colleagues. The study revealed the theropod dinosaur as an Abelisaurid dinosaur, while a phylogenetic analysis indicated that it belongs to the family Noasauridae.
It is pronounced as "af-ro-my-mus".
Paul Sereno claimed that the Afromimus was an Ornitomimosaurian. However, the dinosaur was re-classified as a Noasaurid dinosaur, sharing some resemblance with abelisaurids.
It roamed the earth roughly 112 million years ago in the Early Cretaceous period, between the Aptian and Albian ages.
The exact data on their extinction is still not available. However, it is safe to assume they have been extinct for around 66 million years.
More evidence in the form of fossils and further research is necessary to determine where the dinosaurs might have lived.
There is not enough evidence to extrapolate the preferred habitat of the dinosaur from millions of years ago.
There has not been enough evidence to distinguish how they lived.
There is no available data regarding the lifespan of an Afromimus.
The information about their reproduction process is not available for lack of data. But they might have been oviparous like other dinosaurs, meaning they gave birth by laying eggs.
Afromimus is a medium-sized ornithomimosaur. The only noticeable feature determined from the fossils is that the dinosaur had foot claws that were flat at the bottom. Since Afromimus is considered a basal dinosaur representing multiple dinosaur families, it isn't easy to estimate its possible physiology.
The discovered fossils of the Afromimus consisted of the bones of - a fragment of the dorsal rib, seven distal caudal and partial mid vertebrae, two fragmentary chevrons, majority portion of the right fibula and tibia, along with three phalanges and some of the tarsals.
There isn't enough data as of now to establish their communication pattern.
Paul Sereno stated that the Afromimus was half the size of another theropod dinosaur called Gallimimus bullatus. Based on the measurements of a Gallimimus, the Afromimus dinosaurs were approximately 10 ft (304 cm) in length and 3 ft (91 cm) in height.
The existing data is insufficient to estimate the speed of this dinosaur.
As per the weight of the Gallimimus dinosaurs, the Afromimus is speculated to have weighed around 397-441 lb (180-200 kg).
No particular names are assigned to the male and female of the species as of yet.
A baby Afromimus is called a hatchling.
More evidence is required to determine their aggressive nature and how they defended themselves.
The 16th tail vertebra found in the fossil had depressions along the top and bottom surfaces of the broad centrum. Prof. Paul Sereno described it as peanut-shaped. The feature potentially helped the dinosaurs to stabilize their tails instead of flexing them sideways.
Apart from the flat bottom of the foot claws, the Afromimus specimen had a V-shaped platform with a deep pit in between. The inner edge of the platform is a sharp ridge, while the outer edge is rounded, making it similar to a Noasaurid.
*We've been unable to source an image of Afromimus and have used an image of Pachycephalosaurus instead. We would be happy to credit you if you could provide us with a royalty-free image of Desmatosuchus. Please get in touch with us at [email protected]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afromimus
https://dinopedia.fandom.com/wiki/Afromimus
https://dinoanimals.com/dinosaurdatabase/afromimus-tenerensis/
https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Gallimimusv
https://handwiki.org/wiki/Biology:Abelisauridae
http://www.prehistoric-wildlife.com/species/a/afromimus.html
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At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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