Discovery of Spinosaurus in the Moroccan Sahara - Interview with Nizar Ibrahim

Following the recent discovery of the first semi-aquatic and largest dinosaur found in Morocco last September, we contacted Dr. Nizar Ibrahim, the paleontologist who discovered it, on the behalf of the Moroccan Chapter of the Young Earth Scientists (YES) Network to know more about this dinosaur but also to have his opinion about the Moroccan paleontological heritage. He has kindly and immediately responded to our interview request and we highly appreciate his cooperation.

Workers grind the rough edges off an anatomically precise, life-sizeSpinosaurus skeleton created from digital data. Scientists assembled a computer model from CT scans of fossils, images of lost bones, and extrapolations from related creatures, then expressed it in polystyrene, resin, and steel. Photograph by Mike Hettwer/National Geographic 

Photo of Nizar Ibrahim while being interviewd by the 
National Geographic on the Spinosaurus discovery. 
Credits: National Geographic

1. Can you give us a brief insight on your background and the focus of your research in Palaeontology? 

      I am a German-Moroccan paleontologist and comparative anatomist. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Bristol (UK) and my PhD from University College Dublin (Ireland). I am now based at the University of Chicago (Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy). My research is currently focused on the evolutionary history, diversity and paleoecology of Cretaceous vertebrates found in North Africa. I have also carried out research in the field of bioinformatics, bridging the fields of genetics, anatomy and developmental biology.

2. What was the context of the discovery of the semi-aquatic Spinosaurus? How can you describe this dinosaur compared to the other ones already found in Morocco and elsewhere?

           Spinosaurus is unique in many different ways. It is the largest predatory dinosaur known to date, but more importantly it is the first dinosaur showing unmistakable adaptations for a semi aquatic lifestyle. It looked really different from other predatory dinosaurs: long narrow jaws, long neck, giant "sail" on the back, paddle-like feet…

BUILDING THE BEAST: Modern tools bring ancient bones back to life and reveal Spinausorus.

LAWSON PARKER, NGM STAFF. MAP: RYAN MORRIS, NGM STAFF.ART: DAVIDE BONADONNA 3-D SKELETON: TYLER KEILLOR AND LAUREN CONROY, UNIVERSITYOF CHICAGO SOURCES: NIZAR IBRAHIM, UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO; CRISTIANO DAL SASSOAND SIMONE MAGANUCO, NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF MILAN; RON BLAKEY, COLORADOPLATEAU GEOSYSTEMS (MAP); MATTEO FABBRI, UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL (BONE SCANS)PHOTO: NIZAR IBRAHIM AT CANADIAN MUSEUM OF NATURE (TOOTH)

      3.What are the implications of this discovery as far as Theropods sub-order is concerned and how can we situate it more generally in terms of vertebrate evolution?

    Spinosaurus shows us that dinosaurs were more diverse and adaptable than we thought. Spinosaurus lived in a large river system, full of giant fish, crocodile-like predators, turtles etc – abundant prey for a dinosaur that can hunt in the water. These unique adaptations for fish eating allowed Spinosaurus to coexist with other (more typical) predatory dinosaurs.

      4. Do you plan to do more "Spinosaurus hunting" in Morocco or in North Africa? Morocco is known for its geodiversity, especially the palaeontological one. How do you perceive the level of valorization of this geoheritage in the country and how do you think this discovery will impact the palaeontological and more generally the geological society in Morocco?

          Yes, the Sahara is full of fossil treasures, so in all likelihood I will be working in North Africa for many years to come. 

          Morocco has a very rich paleontological heritage, recording key moments of what is without a shadow of a doubt the most incredible story out there: the history of life on our planet. Unfortunately many Moroccans do not known this. I am trying to change this – the Spinosaurus discovery is certainly going to help. Morocco needs at least 4 or 5 natural history museums to house the many paleontological and zoological treasures the country has to offer. I am currently working with Moroccan colleagues and partners on large scale museum projects – and I am quite confident that we can move things in the right direction very soon.

October Cover of National Geographic Magazine.
Image credit: National Geographic

Note: Images used in this article are from "the October issue ofNational Geographic magazine”. You can check it out on the following link: http://goo.gl/wEUGeX

Interview by Amel Barich & Zaineb Hajjar

Supported by Salma Tifratine