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Spinosaurus aegyptiacus fossils were first uncovered in Egypt in the autumn of 1912, making it the earliest discovered dinosaur later recognized as aquatic.
- First aquatic dinosaur fossil found: 1912 in Egypt.
- Discoverer: Richard Markgraf (Austro‑Hungarian paleontologist).
- Aquatic nature confirmed by later tail and limb studies (2014‑2020).
- All models agree the first aquatic dinosaur fossil was Spinosaurus aegyptiacus discovered in 1912【1】.
- All agree the discoverer was Richard Markgraf in Egypt【1】.
- All acknowledge that later research (2014‑2020) confirmed its semiaquatic adaptations【2】【3】.
- Some models state the aquatic nature was recognized immediately, while others note it was only confirmed decades later (2014‑2020)【7】.
- A few sources label it the “first known swimming dinosaur”, whereas others use the broader term “first aquatic dinosaur”, reflecting slight terminology differences.
When was the first aquatic dinosaur fossil found?
The earliest fossil that is now accepted as belonging to an aquatic (or semiaquatic) dinosaur is that of Spinosaurus aegyptiacus.
- Date of discovery: autumn 1912
- Location: Bahariya Oasis, Egypt
- Discoverer: Austro‑Hungarian fossil collector Richard Markgraf, working for German paleontologist Ernst Stromer1.
Initial finds and early interpretation
The 1912 material consisted of fragmentary skull pieces, vertebrae, and limb bones. At the time, these remains were described as a large theropod, and the idea that Spinosaurus might have lived in water was only a tentative suggestion based on its elongated jaws and possible fish‑eating diet1.
Later evidence of an aquatic lifestyle
It was decades later that the aquatic interpretation gained strong support:
| Year | Key discovery | What it showed |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | New skeletal material from the Kem Kem beds (Morocco) | Dense, paddle‑like tail vertebrae and limb adaptations indicating swimming ability7 |
| 2015–2020 | Well‑preserved tail fossil (Morocco) published in 2020 | A broad, flat tail fin confirming a powerful propulsive organ, solidifying Spinosaurus as the first known swimming dinosaur23 |
These studies demonstrated that Spinosaurus possessed a flattened, paddle‑like tail, dense bones for ballast, and a long, crocodile‑like skull—all hallmarks of a creature adapted to a semi‑aquatic niche.
Significance
- First known aquatic dinosaur: Because the 1912 fossils were the earliest discovered remains later identified as belonging to a dinosaur with clear aquatic adaptations, Spinosaurus holds the title of the first aquatic dinosaur in the fossil record.
- Historical impact: The find challenged the long‑standing view that all dinosaurs were strictly terrestrial and opened a new line of research into dinosaur ecology and behavior.
Summary
- 1912: First Spinosaurus fossils uncovered in Egypt by Richard Markgraf.
- Later decades: Accumulating evidence (especially the Moroccan tail) confirmed Spinosaurus as a semiaquatic predator, making it the earliest discovered dinosaur known to have lived in water.
Quick facts
- Species: Spinosaurus aegyptiacus
- Discovery year: 1912
- Discoverer: Richard Markgraf (austro‑Hungarian)
- Aquatic confirmation: 2014‑2020 studies of tail and limb morphology
These points together answer the question: the first aquatic dinosaur fossil was found in 1912, and subsequent research clarified its swimming abilities decades later.