An old dinosaur debate has received new attention after new research suggests that a miniature version of the famous Tyrannosaurus rex may actually be a different species.
Researchers from the University of Bath and the University of Chicago have examined a new fossil of a small tyrannosaurus, suggesting that what was once thought to be a younger version of the familiar tyrannosaurus may be a similar but different species. It was concluded that there is a high degree of sexual
The study, published in the Journal of Fossil Studies, examined the growth rings of young fossil tyrannosaurs and found evidence of reduced bone growth rates, suggesting that the Nanotyrannus version of the famous dinosaur was nearly life-sized. It was shown that there is a high possibility.
Dinosaurs may have become extinct in an 'apocalyptic dust cloud': study
A Tyrannosaurus rex named Sue at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. (Santi Visari/Getty Images)
“If they were young tyrannosaurs, they would have grown like crazy, gaining hundreds of kilograms a year, but we don't see that happening,” said study co-author Dr Nick Longlich. “No,” said study co-author Dr. Nick Longlich. new atlas. “We tried modeling the data in different ways, but we still got low growth rates.”
This result contradicts a 2020 study by researchers at Oklahoma State University. The researchers concluded that the small tyrannosaurus was probably only 13 to 15 years old at the time of its death and had not yet reached its full growth potential.
However, a new study models the potential growth rate of the bones of a small tyrannosaurus and estimates that it would have grown between 1,984 and 3,307 pounds, which is only about 15% of the size of an adult tyrannosaurus. It's just that.
Dinosaur photo illustration. (Esteban de Armas/Shutterstock)
The researchers also found that Nanotyrannus fossils have more than 150 features that make them different from tyrannosaurus fossils, such as a narrower snout and longer arms.
“The arms are actually longer than those of Tyrannosaurus,” Longrich said. “Even the largest Tyrannus has shorter arms and smaller claws than this tiny Nanotyrannus. This was an animal whose arms were actually pretty formidable weapons. It's actually a completely different animal – smaller, It's fast and agile. Tyrannosaurus relied on size and strength, but this animal relied on speed.”
Click here for more US news
Researchers also claim that there is a lack of fossil discoveries that share characteristics of both Nanotyrannus and Tyrannosaurus, and if they are the same species, they would be more likely to be seen as smaller versions of the famous dinosaur. should begin to merge. Instead, researchers found that an older fossil once thought to be a Nanotyrannus was a younger tyrannosaurus fossil, thanks to skull remmination, but with characteristics similar to the larger species. claims to have done so.
Nevertheless, the new study has not convinced all scientists that the smaller fossils belong to a different species.
A dinosaur fossil skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex is displayed in the gallery at Christie's Auction House on September 17, 2020 in New York City. (Spencer Pratt/Getty Images)
“No problem with Nanotyrannus.” Holly Woodward, author of a 2020 Oklahoma State University study, said in an interview with New Scientist magazine, “If science proves it, it's real. Their interpretation is better than ours.” I'm not sure if that's accurate,” he said.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
But some, like a self-proclaimed College of Charleston scientist, welcomed the new perspective. “Dinosaur Mania” Scott Parsons They told New Scientist that the results should help widen the discussion.
“This new paper doesn't settle this debate, but I'm optimistic that it will be a game-changer,” Parsons said.
