Sefapanosaurus

Sefapanosaurus had a cross-shaped ankle bone called the astragalus, which is why it was named 'cross lizard'.1

Its fossils were first dug up in the late 1930s, but scientists didn't realize it was a new dinosaur until 2015.1

At first, scientists thought the bones belonged to another dinosaur called Aardonyx, but later studies showed they were from a new species.1

Sefapanosaurus lived during the Late Triassic or Early Jurassic, about 200 million years ago.1

It was a 'transitional' dinosaur, meaning it had features of both early bipedal sauropodomorphs and the later giant four-legged sauropods.2

The name Sefapanosaurus comes from the Sesotho word 'sefapano' meaning 'cross' and the Greek word 'sauros' meaning 'lizard'.1

Four partial skeletons were found, including parts of the spine, arms, and legs.1