"T. rex's kinsman, the 'Dragon prince' dinosaur, alters scientists' perspectives on Tyrannosaurus rex"
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Newly concocted evidence of a 86-million-year-old dinosaur breed leaves scientists gobsmacked, as this unidentified raptor fills a sneaky gap in the fossil chronicles, and uncovers the puzzling mysteries behind the evolution of the monstrous Tyrannosaurus Rex.
The never-before-seen dinosaur, christened Khankhuuluu mongoliensis (or "Dragon Prince of Mongolia"), was a pipsqueak compared to its titanic successors such as the legendary Tyrannosaurus Rex, the notorious "Tyrant Lizard King." This ancient relative was the near kin of the tyrannosaur family tree, as it traversed the path from ancestral tyrannosaurs to modern ones, according to the astounding facts published in esteemed journal Nature.
By rigorously analyzing the remains of two incomplete skeletons excavated in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia in the seventies, the recent study suggests that numerous ancient migrations between Asia and North America catalyzed the diversification and expansion of tyrannosaur species to reach breathtaking proportions during the Cretaceous period's end, before their eventual demise 66 million years ago.
"The discovery of this beastly Khankhuuluu has us flipping the tyrannosaur family tree on its head," reported co-author Darla Zelenitsky, associate professor hailing from the University of Calgary's Earth, Energy, and Environment department. "Prior to this revelation, there was an astronomical level of confusion regarding the lineage of tyrannosaur species." Boom!
## Multiple Journeys Through Time and Space
Tyrannosaurs, scientifically categorized as Eutyrannosaurians, evoke images of hulking powerhouses reminiscent of the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex and Tarbosaurus - which tipped the scales at multiple metric tons, consuming colossal prey effortlessly, and showcasing staggering strength.
However, these terrifying titans did not always stand atop the food chain. They descended from smaller, more agile ancestors who adapted and evolved over time, ruling the landscapes of North America and Asia between 85 and 66 million years ago.
Whilst the menacing Tarbosaurus, cousin to Tyrannosaurus Rex, clocked in at between 3,000 and 6,000 kilograms (beyond hefty, for those lacking a ruler), the nimble Khankhuuluu mongoliensis weighed only around 750 kilograms, measured just 2 meters at the hips and stretched to 4 meters in length, according to the researchers. Appearing alongside a Tyrannosaurus Rex would be akin to placing a horse next to an elephant - Khankhuuluu wouldn't have reached T. rex's thigh in height!
"Khankhuuluu was almost a tyrannosaur, but not quite," Zelenitsky laughed. "The nasal bone was hollow instead of solid, and the bones around the eye didn't have all the horns and bumps found in T. rex or other tyrannosaurs."
Khankhuuluu mongoliensis, or a close relative, is speculated to have migrated from Asia to North America across a land bridge linking Alaska and Siberia 85 million years ago, Zelenitsky elucidated. Opening new doors to understanding how these ferocious beasts flourished and grew, this migrant species made it possible for us to recognize that tyrannosaurs actually sprung into existence on the North American continent, where they gradually became titans.
Unfortunately, it is unknown what went down in Asia between 80 and 85 million years ago, as our fossil record is dismal in that timeframe. While it's possible that some Khankhuuluu stuck around Asia, it was probably replaced by other, larger tyrannosaur species 79 million years ago.
Additionally, approximately 78 million years ago, another tyrannosaur species journeyed back to Asia, leading to the evolution of two distinct but remarkably different subgroups of tyrannosaurs — one was a gargantuan, deep-snouted beast, while the other, the so-called "Pinocchio rex," was svelte and petite. This slim, long-snouted tyrannosaur species is a true marvel, having eccentrically evolved to be small while all other tyrannosaurs in its branch took to growing into giants.
The larger prehistoric beasts served as top-tier predators, while the slender Pinocchio rexes went after smaller game, much like cheetahs and jackals in contemporary African ecosystems. "Because of their diminutive size, Pinocchio rexes were initially deemed primitive tyrannosaurs; however, we unearthed an innovative idea: they purposefully miniaturized their bodies within a part of the tyrannosaur family tree that only ever produced gigantic individuals," Zelenitsky proclaimed.
A final migration of tyrannosaurs continued, resulting in the introduction of the hallowed Tyrannosaurus Rex to North America approximately 68 million years ago.
"The success and grandeur of tyrannosaurs can be attributed to several migrations traversing the continents, paving their path to rule," Zelenitsky concluded. "The tyrannosaurs, being aproposCaptors of their moment, seized opportunities to move from continent to continent and swiftly evolved to become formidable, efficient hunters."
## Resurrecting the Past
The latest research corroborates previous findings suggesting that Tyrannosaurus Rex's ancestor hailed from Asia, crossing over to North America via a land bridge, and emphasizes the vital role Asia played in the triumphant story of the tyrannosaur family tree.
"The newly-discovered species opens new windows into the family tree of tyrannosaurs, providing invaluable data and enhancing our understanding of evolutionary transitions from smaller predators to massive apex predators," remarked Cassius Morrison, a paleontology doctoral student at University College London, who was not involved in this modern breakthrough.
The study also unearths an unexpected closeness between the Alioramini subgroup and the Tyrannosaurus Rex lineage, challenging previous beliefs. Shockingly, only 62 million years separate these two fearsome dinosaurs, with the latter's reign extending from around 68 to 65 million years ago.
What makes these fossils so critical is their age - 20 million years older than T. rex, offering pivotal insight into their prehistoric journey. "The meager fossil record was known to be vague; however, this study shines light on the variance of tyrannosaurs as they evolved, providing clearer images of what transpired during their mystical past," reported Thomas Carr, associate professor of biology at Carthage College.
"Legions of paleontologists, including myself, believed that these historical artifacts, left undisturbed for decades, were locked away, waiting to reveal their secrets," added Steve Brusatte, professor of paleontology at the University of Edinburgh. "It's as if a no-disclosure agreement was in place, and only now has it expired, giving them permission to disclose their tales."
- The latest science news unravels the intriguing connection between a newly discovered dinosaur species, Khankhuuluu mongoliensis, and the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex, challenging some medical-conditions researchers' previous assumptions about their lineage.
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