Masiakasaurus knopfleri is an extinct species of theropod dinosaur that belongs to the group of abelisaurids. It lived during the Cretaceous period, specifically in the Cenomanian, approximately 90 to 70 million years ago. Abelisaurids are a diverse group of carnivorous dinosaurs that were characterized by their large, short heads and relatively small arms compared to other theropods.
The name "Masiakasaurus" comes from the Malagasy language, spoken in Madagascar, where its fossils were discovered, and means "bad lizard" or "malicious lizard." The specific epithet "knopfleri" is a tribute to the guitarist and singer Mark Knopfler, leader of the rock band Dire Straits, in recognition of his contribution to financing the scientific expedition in Madagascar.
Masiakasaurus was a relatively small dinosaur compared to other theropods, with an estimated length of about 2.5 to 3 meters. It had a unique and distinctive head, with long, pointed, needle-like teeth, suggesting a specialized diet of fish and other small aquatic animals. Its teeth are one of the most prominent features, as they point forward, indicating that it had an unusual feeding strategy and possibly fed on live prey in the water.
The habitat of Masiakasaurus knopfleri was a coastal environment, with a combination of terrestrial and aquatic areas, which supports the hypothesis that it had an adaptation to hunt in aquatic or shallow water environments.
Masiakasaurus is interesting to paleontology due to its unique morphology and adaptation to a specific ecological niche. Furthermore, its discovery in Madagascar is important, as this island has been a key location for the study of dinosaur evolution due to its geographic isolation for long periods of time.
Approximate measurements of the Masiakasaurus:
1:12 scale - 132 mm long
