Discovering the Latest Tyrannosaur Ancestor: Insights from 1970s Fossil Finds

Tyrannosaurs often bring to mind gigantic creatures with sharp teeth and massive jaws. But recent discoveries suggest their ancestors were quite different. A new species, named Khankhuuluu mongoliensis, offers a glimpse into this evolutionary journey.

Researchers identified Khankhuuluu from two partial skeletons found in Mongolia, dating back about 86 million years. Dr. Darla Zelenitsky from the University of Calgary, who co-authored the study, emphasizes that this discovery helps bridge the gap between tiny early dinosaurs and the colossal predators we know today.

Before, these fossils were thought to belong to a species called Alectrosaurus olseni. The shift in identification highlights their significance in understanding the tyrannosaur lineage.

What sets Khankhuuluu apart is its size. At about 4 meters long and weighing roughly 750 kg, it was much smaller than its later relatives like T. rex, which could weigh as much as 8,000 kg. Jared Voris, the study’s lead author, notes that while humans would have been an easy target for Khankhuuluu, they would have been far safer from a full-grown T. rex.

This discovery also sheds light on smaller known tyrannosaurs, like those nicknamed “Pinocchio rexes.” These long-nosed creatures were once thought to be closely related to early tyrannosaurs, but the new findings reveal they were actually more similar to larger species like Tarbosaurus.

The research utilized a computer model to trace the migration patterns of these dinosaurs between Asia and North America. Zelenitsky explains that findings show these migrations were more frequent than previously believed, suggesting a dynamic movement of species shaping their evolution.

Prof. Steve Brusatte from the University of Edinburgh, who was not involved in the study, highlights the importance of Khankhuuluu. Its existence at such an early stage suggests it took time for tyrannosaurs to evolve into the giants we recognize today. “Migration played a key role in shaping the tyrannosaur family tree,” he notes, drawing an interesting parallel to human migrations.

This research not only fills a critical gap in our understanding of dinosaur evolution but also encourages us to think about how environmental changes and migration influenced their development. We’re reminded that today’s species continue to adapt and change, much like their ancient counterparts.

For more insights into the world of dinosaurs, you can check out related findings about prehistoric birds nesting in the Arctic here.

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