Scientists from the University of Bath and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science have made an exciting discovery in New Mexico. A new study published in Scientific Reports reveals the identification of a newly found species of tyrannosaur called Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis.
The research, based on a partial skull found in western New Mexico, provides new insights into the origins of Tyrannosaurus rex in North America. It suggests that T. rex arrived on the continent millions of years earlier than previously believed.
The newly identified tyrannosaur, Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis, is believed to be older and more primitive than its famous relative T. rex. However, it is similar in size, measuring roughly the size of a double-decker bus.
By analyzing the subtle differences between Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis and T. rex, the study concludes that they are closely related but not direct ancestors. This finding also raises the possibility of more undiscovered tyrannosaur species in New Mexico.
The discovery expands our knowledge of tyrannosaurs and reveals that apex predators lived in what is now the southern United States at least 72 million years ago. The fossils collected on lands administered by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation provide valuable insights into the evolution of tyrannosaurs. They suggest that larger and more advanced species evolved in the southern United States, while smaller and more primitive ones were found in Montana and Canada.
The study also raises interesting questions about why dinosaurs evolved to larger sizes in the south and what triggered the sudden northward spread of giant tyrannosaurs towards the end of the Cretaceous Period. These questions open up avenues for further research and exploration.
This discovery once again emphasizes the importance of New Mexico’s dinosaur fossils in unraveling the mysteries surrounding the evolution of dinosaurs. The ongoing discoveries in the region continue to contribute to our understanding of these ancient creatures and their world.
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