Quck answer
Scientists have discovered a new species of dinosaur, named “Allosaurus jimmadseni,” which is believed to have lived about 157 million years ago. This dinosaur was roughly the size of a horse and had a similar appearance to the infamous T. Rex. The discovery of this dinosaur sheds new light on the evolution of T. Rex and its relatives, suggesting that they evolved from smaller-sized predators like Allosaurus. This discovery is significant in furthering our understanding of dinosaur evolution and the history of life on Earth.
Extinct Animals
It is not easy to maintain a reputation for centuries, let alone geological periods. While Cleopatra and Genghis Khan are still remembered, Tyrannosaurus rex, who went extinct 65 million years ago, is awe-inspiring.
T. rex was possibly the largest land predator of all time, with a large head and powerful jaws that contained strong, peg-like teeth that could crunch through bone in the same way we eat pretzel sticks. Additionally, they had some of the largest brains of any non-avian dinosaur, with keen senses of smell and hearing, and good eyesight.
Until now, how T. rex evolved to that point has been a mystery. However, a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences describes a newly discovered species of tyrannosaurid dinosaur called Timurlengia euotica, which was recently found in Uzbekistan. This discovery is crucial as it fills a gap in the tyrannosaur fossil record during the middle Cretaceous period, between when the oldest, human-sized tyrannosaurids were evolving and when the blood-thirsty mega-predators ruled at the end of the Cretaceous.
“Timurlengia seems to have been relatively small—about the size of a horse,” says Dr. Stephen Brusatte, lead author of the study and a paleontologist and evolutionary biologist at the School of GeoSciences at the University of Edinburgh. “But its advanced brain and senses are similar to those of the colossal latest Cretaceous apex predators, which tells us that tyrannosaurs got smart before they got big. They evolved their signature brains and keen senses at a relatively small body size, and these features later came in handy when tyrannosaurs had the opportunity to rise to the top of the food chain.”
While Timurlengia did not have the massive skull or thick teeth of later tyrannosaurs, the brain and ear characteristics were similar. They had tubular brains with large olfactory bulbs to heighten their sense of smell and an inner ear with a long cochlea, which helped them hear very low-frequency sounds. This suggests that sophisticated neurosensory features evolved early for tyrannosaurs, and T. rex and others used these qualities to become ultimate killing machines.
However, the discovery of Timurlengia raises many questions, such as why tyrannosaurs became so big. According to Brusatte, “At some point around 80 to 90 million years ago, they rapidly switched from horse-sized Timurlengia-like creatures to the super-giants that we all know and love. Did they outcompete other dinosaurs like ceratosaurs and allosaurs? Or did they opportunistically take over when other giant dinosaurs that had been incumbent in the big predator role went extinct? I think the second is more likely.”
Fascinating Fact
While many people mock the small arms of the T. rex, in reality they were over 3 feet in length and possibly capable of lifting 400 pounds each. However, if you’re looking for truly short arms, take a look at the Carnotasaurus and its tiny appendages which may have been completely useless.
FAQ
1. What is the discovery of the horse-sized dinosaur?
The discovery of the horse-sized dinosaur is a new species of tyrannosaur that has been found in Canada. The dinosaur is believed to be about 79 million years old, making it one of the oldest known tyrannosaurs. It was discovered in the province of Alberta by a team of researchers from the University of Calgary.
2. What is the name of the newly discovered dinosaur?
The newly discovered dinosaur has been named Thanatotheristes degrootorum, which means “Reaper of Death” in Greek. The name is fitting considering the dinosaur was a predator and likely hunted other animals.
3. How big was the horse-sized dinosaur?
The horse-sized dinosaur was estimated to be about 8 meters long and weighed around 2,200 pounds. It was smaller than the famous Tyrannosaurus rex, which could grow up to 40 feet long and weigh up to 14,000 pounds.
4. How does the discovery of this dinosaur shed light on T. Rex evolution?
The discovery of the horse-sized dinosaur sheds light on T. Rex evolution because it provides information about the early ancestors of the famous predator. The newly discovered dinosaur is believed to be one of the oldest members of the tyrannosaur family, and its features suggest that T. Rex evolved from smaller, more agile predators.
5. What are some of the features of the horse-sized dinosaur?
The horse-sized dinosaur had some unique features that set it apart from other tyrannosaurs. It had a long and narrow snout, which suggests it may have been more suited for hunting smaller prey. The dinosaur also had a prominent brow ridge and a wide jaw, which would have allowed it to bite with a lot of force.
6. What other dinosaurs were around during the time of the horse-sized dinosaur?
During the time of the horse-sized dinosaur, there were many other types of dinosaurs living in North America. Some of the other predators included Albertosaurus, Gorgosaurus, and Daspletosaurus. There were also many herbivorous dinosaurs, such as Triceratops, Edmontosaurus, and Parasaurolophus.
7. How was the horse-sized dinosaur discovered?
The horse-sized dinosaur was discovered by a team of researchers from the University of Calgary. They were exploring a region of Alberta known for its rich fossil deposits when they came across a skull and other bones belonging to the new species.
8. What does the discovery of the horse-sized dinosaur tell us about the prehistoric ecosystem?
The discovery of the horse-sized dinosaur tells us that there was a diverse range of predators and prey living in North America during the Late Cretaceous period. It also suggests that there were many different types of tyrannosaurs, each with their own unique features and adaptations.
9. How will the discovery of the horse-sized dinosaur impact future research?
The discovery of the horse-sized dinosaur will likely lead to more research on the evolution of tyrannosaurs and other dinosaurs. Scientists will study the fossil remains to learn more about the anatomy and behavior of the newly discovered species and how it fits into the larger picture of dinosaur evolution.
10. Where can people learn more about the discovery of the horse-sized dinosaur?
People can learn more about the discovery of the horse-sized dinosaur by reading scientific articles and news reports on the topic. They can also visit museums and other educational institutions that feature exhibits on dinosaurs and prehistoric life.
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