Spinosaurus is the longest known terrestrial carnivore and is a species about which a lot of new things have been discovered over time.
That is why this fascinating and controversial species was initially represented as a typical long-legged bipedal theropod, very similar to its cousins Baryonyx and Suchomimus, and very different from what is known and debated today.
In this article we will give a brief review of the evolution that the morphology of this dinosaur has undergone over time, and the consequent new discoveries and research.
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A brief history of the appearance of Spinosaurus aegyptiacus
Spinosaurus aegyptiacus was discovered in Egypt in 1912 and described by German paleontologist Ernst Stromer in 1915.
Since then it has captured the imagination of all scientists and dinosaur enthusiasts, as its prominent dorsal spines are just impressive.
At that time only a few fossil remains were discovered, which were later lost forever due to the bombings of World War II.
However, the drawings and detailed descriptions of the specimen remained in which the Spinosaurus was represented with a fairly generic theropod shape and dragging its tail (as was typical in those years).
From there and through the years, paleoart let the imagination fly, and from these reconstructions different illustrations, sculptures and even 3D wooden puzzles of Spinosaurus skeleton were made.
It was represented as a biped, a quadruped, with a hump and as a running lizard, among others. It has always been based on new scientific proposals and theories.
The influence of related discoveries
It was not until the 80’s and 90’s that Baryonyx and Suchomimus respectively, 2 new species of dinosaur related to Spinosaurus aegyptiacus, were discovered.
These findings provided new evidence that helped advance the reconstruction of Spinosaurus skeleton, and by then it began to be represented as a 17-meter Suchomimus with a dorsal sail.
Even we at WONDER Artistic Models had our version, the Spinosaurus 2005 3D wooden puzzle that is now discontinued.
This version became quite popular —mainly because it was the model that appeared in the movie Jurassic Park III as the main antagonist— and lasted until 2014, since in this year paleontologists found new fossil remains that drastically changed the way we saw the Spinosaurus skeleton.
Now the enormous bipedal theropod had become an elongated, flattened quadruped reminiscent of the mythical Asian dragons.
This reconstruction shocked the paleo world, as it drastically broke with the image all we had, not only of the Spinosaurus, but of theropod dinosaurs in general.
Furthermore, the idea of Spinosaurus that was had in popular culture was very different from that strange creature that science presented to us.
In any case, the world was gradually accepting that what it believed to be true was no longer true, and that, in reality, we still had a lot to learn and know.
That these changes are part of the search for truth, and we must learn to accept them if we want to find said truth.
The discovery of the tail
In April 2020, research was published showing the discovery of new fossil remains of the tail of a Spinosaurus in Morocco.
After different experiments, based on the morphology of the tail and the density of the bones of Spinosaurus skeleton, scientists concluded that it was well adapted to swimming, making it the first dinosaur with this ability.
This new advance once again changed the anatomy of Spinosaurus as we knew it.
And this time changing not only the entire tail, but also its behavior, which has been an important milestone both for the knowledge we have of this species and for paleontology in general.
The scientists in charge of the research maintain that Spinosaurus aegyptiacus was a dinosaur with strong adaptations to aquatic life and that it could occasionally leave the water, and that it is important not to compare it with a heron or other similar birds, because it did not behave like that.
Instead, the studies that the team has carried out reveal that the Spinosaurus hunted in the water by swimming after its prey and finding it in the murky waters, thanks to the “sonar” present in its snout.
The retractors
But some scientists do not accept the theory of a swimming Spinosaurus.
Among the strongest arguments is the fact that it had its nostrils very far back in its skull, which would require it to expend too much energy to come up to breathe, and that its eyes would also be below the surface of the water when it did so.
Instead, they maintain that it must have hunted in shallow waters or in swamps, with its snout submerged while its nostrils were above the surface to breathe. And its eyes, being so far back in the skull, they would be at a good height for visibility.
Also, Spinosaurus had high sensitivity in the front part of its snout: this would help it perceive the movement of its prey underwater.
The behavior proposed by this team of scientists is that Spinosaurus aegyptiacus was a wader, which means that it hunted in shallow water or in swamps, quite similar to today’s herons or pelicans.
“S”-shaped neck
Even so, some scientists do not agree with some aspects of the reconstruction offered by the research team and have decided to advance in parallel with another proposal based on strong arguments.
From this initiative arises the idea of a completely bipedal Spinosaurus aegyptiacus, with an “S”-shaped neck and, due to a rearrangement of the dorsal vertebrae, an almost semicircular-shaped sail.
At first glance this may not seem relevant, but it absolutely is since there are several anatomical aspects that, depending on the bases used, can make the proposal coherent or simply impossible.
For example, the fact that it could elevate the neck from the base to stand upright or whether, conversely, it was anatomically possible to elevate it more than a few degrees.
So we can get an idea of how antagonistic both proposals are.
It is important to keep in mind that the existing fossils of the front limbs of Spinosaurus skeleton are scarce and fragmentary, so its position is also under discussion (that is, whether it was bipedal or quadrupedal). This detail alone can determine not only the posture, but also the behavior of the animal.
All these characteristics that are currently being debated are decisive for the appearance and behavior not only of Spinosaurus, but of any species that is talked about.
The scientists in charge of the official investigation try to be conservative and not give a conclusive answer until they have evidence to support it. So, there is no doubt that Spinosaurus will continue to be talked about until new evidence is found.
The Spinosaurus aegyptiacus by WONDER Artistic Models
At WONDER Artistic Models we designed a 3D Wooden Spinosaurus Model based on the one proposed in 2020, and we released it in the same month that the paper was published.
This model, although it is based on the official reconstruction of that research, can also illustrate that wading Spinosaurus propelling itself with its hind legs and tail in shallow water. This is one of the most loved models of the brand by our clients, collectors and followers.
New versions
Despite this, we wanted to make a version of the Spinosaurus perched on land.
To make a representative model, we consulted a member of the research team, who kindly told us what is known and what is not known.
The paleontologist told us that, to date, the arms of the Spinosaurus are not known and he advised us to design it with one resting on the ground, so that it would serve in any case that would be determined in the future.
Thanks to the information he provided us, we decided that the best option was to design it in a dynamic pose, in the middle of an action, and we imagined a moment in which it would face a fish in the water.
Given the size of its legs, in that scenario a Spinosaurus could have easily placed its hands on the bottom of the river to attack.
In conclusion, our Spinosaurus Wader Theory is quite versatile and will remain valid regardless of whether Spinosaurus is later determined to be bipedal or quadrupedal.
However, we know that a good part of the paleo community loves the theory of the bipedal Spinosaurus aegyptiacus (perhaps because it looks beautiful), and that is why we decided to also have this proposal in our collection.
What the Spinosaurus has taught us
All these facts have turned the Spinosaurus into a symbol of paleontology and a perfect example of the theory of falsifiability proposed by Karl Popper.
This theory warns that a theory as good as the Theory of Relativity, which is falsifiable, can be overturned at any time if an experiment is done that demonstrates its falsity.
In other words, knowledge does not increase when we prove a theory, but when it is demonstrated to fail. At that moment is when we realize that we were wrong and our knowledge increases.
And, therefore, we get a little closer to the truth.
Throughout history, Spinosaurus reconstructions have undergone drastic physical changes with each new discovery that helps to complete the enormous puzzle that is its body.
Thanks to this mysterious giant from the past, we can learn that, as with life in all its forms, knowledge also evolves over time.
In summary...
The Spinosaurus, a colossal theropod with a sail adorning its back, isn’t just a dinosaur; it’s a paleontological enigma that continues to enthrall scientists and dinosaur enthusiasts alike.
This article has explored the remarkable journey of its ever-evolving image, shaped by a continuous stream of new discoveries and fueled by scientific debate.
From its initial depiction as a generic theropod to the recent proposition of a possible quadrupedal swimming dinosaur, the Spinosaurus’s appearance has undergone dramatic transformations.
Recent finds like the tail lend weight to the theory of aquatic adaptations, but the exact nature of its behavior (wading versus active swimming) remains an open question, sparking lively debate within the paleontological community.
Further complicating the picture is the bipedal theory, which challenges the current reconstruction and highlights the inherent uncertainties involved in interpreting fragmentary fossils.
This ongoing discourse underlines the dynamic nature of scientific knowledge, which constantly evolves as new evidence comes to light.
Ultimately, the Spinosaurus serves as a powerful symbol of the ever-evolving quest for knowledge.
Each new discovery, each competing theory, represents a step closer to unraveling the mysteries of this enigmatic giant.
As we continue to delve deeper into its world, we are reminded that the pursuit of understanding is a never-ending journey, constantly demanding critical thinking, open debate, and a willingness to adapt our perspectives in the face of new evidence.
So, the next time you encounter an image of the Spinosaurus, remember that it’s not just a prehistoric creature; it’s a testament to the ongoing process of scientific inquiry, a reminder that knowledge is never static, and that even the mightiest giants can hold secrets waiting to be revealed.
About WONDER Artistic Models
WONDER Artistic Models is a company that designs anatomically accurate 3D wooden puzzles of fauna.
These puzzles are not only fun and challenging to assemble, but also educational and beautiful.
They are made from a meticulous and very precise and original design, with high quality materials and laser cut precision, and capture the essence and details of each animal.
WONDER Artistic Models has been exhibited in Natural History Museums in Chile and Italy, and has reached more than 30 countries around the world.
It is valued by scientists and science enthusiasts alike, who appreciate the realism and accuracy of these models.