One of the most iconic dinosaurs on Earth Tyrannosaurus Rex It’s getting too much attention – so much hype, in fact, that many people may not even know about it yet. T. rex Over the course of evolution, many siblings were born. This species first appeared about 165 million years ago. Tyrannosauridae The subfamily eventually grew to include at least 30 species of tyrannosaurids, and a team of paleontologists says they have at least one more to add to that list: what they call a “deep-snout” tyrannosaurid. Asiatyrannus shui.
A new study published July 25 in the journal Neurology provides more details. Scientific ReportsResearchers at China’s Zhejiang Natural History Museum believe that fossils discovered at a construction site in the city of Ganzhou in 2017 belong to this new, smaller specimen. A. Shui Dating suggests that the dinosaur lived in the Late Cretaceous period, between 66 and 72 million years ago, and was a “small to medium-sized” tyrannosaurid. After examining the tail, hind legs, partial vertebrae, and the 47.5 cm (18.7 in) long skull, experts A. Shui It can grow up to 13 feet long from nose to tail, making it about half the size of its local kin. Kienzosaurus.
Upon further investigation, Kienzosaurus, A. Shui The specimen is characterized by a “relatively deep snout, long premaxilla, deep maxilla, and deep dentary” while lacking “distinct horns.” However, paleontologists point out that while the specimen likely went through most of its developmental stages, it is not a fully grown adult. The researchers also suggest that these physical differences may explain why the specimen is not a fully grown adult. A. ShuiThey have survived in this region for millions of years. Due to their size and characteristics, A. Shui It probably preyed on smaller, faster animals than its larger tyrannosaurid relatives.
“In southeastern China, Kienzosaurus Definitely an apex predator [role]The team wrote: Their research“However, Asiatyrannus may represent a niche for small- to medium-sized theropods between the large and giant theropods. Kienzosaurus and a diversified set of small oviraptorosaurs.”
[Related: Scaly lips may have hidden the T-rex’s fearsome teeth.]
A. Shui The dinosaur is also notable for being the first deep-snouted tyrannosaur to be found in southern China. Because of its new location, the team believes the new dinosaur may support the idea that tyrannosaurs migrated to the region later than previously estimated. Tyrannosaurs are widely believed to have first appeared on an island called Laramidia, off the west coast of what is now North America.
About the origin of A. ShuiWhile the name may not be the “king” of the dinosaurs, it does pay tribute to researcher Xu Xing. Name more dinosaurs More than any other paleontologist alive today.
