This bizarre dinosaur from Madagascar evolved forward-pointing teeth to snatch up small prey

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Masiakasaurus knopfleri was a small, bipedal predator with a dental secret. Unlike its peers, its front teeth projected horizontally, creating a specialized tool for grasping rather than tearing. Named after a famous musician, this dinosaur offers a rare window into how slow growth helped species survive in stressful, semiarid environments.

Discovered in the Late Cretaceous Maevarano Formation of Madagascar, Masiakasaurus was first introduced to science in 2001 by a team including Scott D. Sampson, Matthew Carrano, and Catherine A. Forster. The genus name, meaning vicious lizard, reflects its predatory nature, while the species name honors Mark Knopfler, whose music provided the soundtrack for the original expedition. Initially known from fragmentary remains, the discovery of additional specimens in 2011 elevated it to one of the best-understood dinosaurs, with approximately 65% of its skeleton now documented.

The most striking feature of Masiakasaurus is its heterodont dentition. The front teeth are procumbent, angled forward to facilitate the capture of small vertebrates, invertebrates, or potentially fruit. While these front teeth were specialized for grasping, the rear teeth remained recurved and serrated, functioning similarly to those of other carnivorous theropods for slicing food. This unique jaw structure, combined with a long, low skull, distinguishes it from the deeper-skulled abelisaurids that shared its habitat.

Growth studies conducted by Lee and O'Connor in 2013 revealed that Masiakasaurus reached maturity at a small size, roughly that of a large dog, over a period of 8 to 10 years. This growth rate was notably 40% slower than other non-avian theropods of similar size, a trait evidenced by the presence of parallel-fibered bone. Researchers suggest this slow development was an evolutionary adaptation, allowing the dinosaur to minimize nutritional requirements while navigating the challenges of a seasonally stressful, semiarid landscape. Despite these constraints, it still grew 40% faster than modern crocodylians.

The genus is categorized within Noasauridae, a group of ceratosaurs primarily found in South America. Evidence of sexual dimorphism or distinct populations exists, with researchers identifying both robust and gracile forms based on bone thickness and muscle attachment sites. While Masiakasaurus was a predator, it was not at the top of the food chain; fossilized puncture marks on a scapulocoracoid suggest it may have been preyed upon by larger animals like Majungasaurus.

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