New Study suggests Dinosaurs May Have Originated Near the Equator
For decades, the origin of dinosaurs has been a subject of intense debate among scientists. Traditionally,it was believed that these ancient creatures first evolved in the southern regions of the supercontinent Pangaea. However, a groundbreaking study led by joel A. Heath from the Department of Earth Sciences at University College London challenges this long-held assumption.the research suggests that dinosaurs may have first emerged near the equator, in areas that now encompass the Amazon rainforest, the Congo Basin, and the Sahara Desert.
The Mystery of Dinosaur Origins
Dinosaurs evolved during the Triassic period, approximately 252 to 201 million years ago. Yet, the exact location of their origin remains shrouded in mystery. “The origin of dinosaur biogeography is still very minimally understood,” Heath explained in a summary of the study published in the journal current Biology on January 23,2025.
the oldest known dinosaur fossils, such as the Eoraptor found in Argentina and the Nyasasaurus parringtoni discovered in Tanzania, date back to around 230 and 243 million years, respectively. These findings initially led scientists to believe that dinosaurs originated in the southern region of Gondwana, a sub-supercontinent of Pangaea. However, Heath and his team argue that these fossils may not tell the full story.
A New Viewpoint: Equatorial Origins
To explore this further, Heath and his colleagues developed a computer model that simulated the evolution and migration of dinosaurs. The model accounted for gaps in the fossil record, geographical barriers, and uncertainties about how dinosaur ancestors were connected. Surprisingly, most simulations pointed to the equator as the likely birthplace of dinosaurs, with only a few supporting a southern origin.”The model output is estimating things we thought would not be possible before,” Heath said. This challenges the prevailing belief that dinosaurs could not thrive near the equator due to its harsh,dry,and hot conditions. “Dinosaurs are believed to not be able to survive in such conditions,” he added.
Why the Equator?
One reason for the scarcity of dinosaur fossils near the equator is that paleontologists have historically focused their excavations in regions like North America,Europe,and,more recently,China.”There are so manny regions on Earth that are neglected,” Heath noted. Additionally, geologists have struggled to find rocks of the relevant age in equatorial areas. “They (the rocks) may not be exposed in an easy way for us to be able to study them,” he explained.
Supporting Evidence
Recent discoveries have bolstered Heath’s theory. On January 8, 2025, a team led by David Lovelace from the University of Wisconsin-Madison uncovered the oldest known dinosaur fossils from northern Pangaea. The new species, Ahvaytum bahndoiveche, a sauropodomorph related to long-necked dinosaurs like diplodocus, was found in Wyoming’s Popo Agie Formation and dated to 230 million years old.
“If dinosaurs were already in the north and south of Pangaea in that period, it was unfeasible for them to not exist in the equator,” Heath asserted. ”They must have crossed it.”
Key Findings at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Proposed Origin | Near the equator (Amazon, Congo Basin, Sahara Desert) |
| Oldest Fossils | Eoraptor (230 million years, Argentina) and Nyasasaurus (243 million years, Tanzania) |
| Study Method | Computer modeling of fossil records, evolutionary trees, and geography |
| Recent Discovery | Ahvaytum bahndoiveche (230 million years, Wyoming) |
| Challenges | Scarcity of fossils and rocks in equatorial regions |
Conclusion
This study opens up new avenues for paleontological research, urging scientists to explore neglected equatorial regions for clues about the origins of dinosaurs. As Heath aptly put it, “When you consider many gaps in the findings of fossils and the evolution of dinosaur trees, it is very possible that these areas are where dinosaurs originated.”
The quest to uncover the true birthplace of dinosaurs continues, and with each discovery, we inch closer to solving one of earth’s greatest mysteries.
