Dinosaur tracks discovered in Brazil and Cameroon, 120 million years ago

A recent study has revealed that matching dinosaur tracks discovered in Brazil and Cameroon were created approximately 120 million years ago, during a time when these regions were part of the same landmass known as Gondwana. This ancient supercontinent eventually split apart, leaving a narrow corridor that connected the two continents. The research team, led by Louis Jacobs, analyzed over 260 dinosaur tracks, primarily from carnivorous theropods, and found striking similarities in the footprints despite the 3,700-mile distance between the two locations. The tracks were imprinted in sediment along ancient rivers and lakes, indicating that the area once supported a diverse ecosystem with both herbivores and carnivores. The geological features of the tracks in Brazil's Borborema region and Cameroon's Koum Basin were consistent, suggesting that the dinosaurs roamed across this corridor before the continents fully separated. This discovery highlights the importance of understanding the historical connections between continents and the movement of prehistoric animals. The tracks in Cameroon were first identified in the 1980s, but recent advancements in scientific techniques allowed researchers to revisit and analyze them more thoroughly. Jacobs expressed surprise at the wealth of information gained from re-examining these tracks, emphasizing the evolving nature of scientific inquiry and the insights it can provide into the past. This research not only sheds light on the behavior and movement of dinosaurs but also enhances our understanding of the geological history that shaped the continents as we know them today. The findings underscore the significance of paleontological studies in reconstructing ancient ecosystems and the interactions of species across ancient land bridges.