Researchers are making waves with their latest dinosaur findings
Dinosaur species may have traveled across an ocean, new study says.
The study published in the Cretaceous Research journal indicates a species of duckbill dinosaur called Ajnabia odysseus - whose bones were found in Africa - may have traveled across the ocean to get there. Scientists say the new species contains features of the Lambeosaurinae family, which moved from Asia to Europe before ending up in Africa.
"Given the existence of large, persistent seaways isolating Africa and Europe from other continents, and the absence of the extensive, bidirectional interchange characterizing land bridges, these patterns suggest dispersals across marine barriers," reads an excerpt from the study, which became available earlier this week.
The researchers believe it's possible the dinosaurs made the lengthy voyage from one continent to another by swimming, floating or traveling on debris.
"Sherlock Holmes said, once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth," said the leader of the study, Nicholas Longrich.
"It was impossible to walk to Africa," he continued. "These dinosaurs evolved long after continental drift split the continents, and we have no evidence of land bridges. The geology tells us Africa was isolated by oceans. If so, the only way to get there is by water."
