Mapusaurus roseae

The Mapusaurus roseae is the only one representing Mapusaurus , a kind of Carnosaure of the family of the Carcharodontosauridé S.

It means “reptile/lizard of the ground”, in the honor of the South American tribe of Mapuches. He lived from approximately - 99 with - 93 My, with the Cénomanien (higher Crétacé). He is known on the current territories of the South America (Rio Limay Formation, Neuquén, Argentina). A " is known; bonebed" from 7 to 9 individuals Fossil S.

He lived in dry and timbered zones, strewn with lakes.

Description

Mapusaurus roseae is a 13 meters length dinosaur approximately (surroundings 10% less than Tyrannosaurus rex ), its remainders made it possible to precisely classify it in the Carcharodontosauridae .

Thanks to this species, knowledge on the Carcharodontosauridae clearly improved. The Sous-famille of the Giganotosaurinae was precisely created for him and its close relatives.

The discovery of 8 skeletons gathered in the same place lets think that Mapusaurus was a sociable dinosaur. This information indicates that Mapusaurus roseae was one of only large the théropodes able to live in group besides some Tyrannosauridae . The possibility of living in group was a means of attacking large dinosaurs sauropodes and also of killing out of other Théropodes of big size.

The cranium is undoubtedly the greatest part of the skeleton of Mapusaurus . The osseous portubérances on the top of cranium indicates well that it is close to Giganotosaurus . But before cranium was thicker and the openings were rounder. Many of other characteristics bring it closer to Giganotosaurus , but it is the discovery of its skeleton which brings many information; the remainders of the bodies of the others Carcharodontosauridae are only partial or even sometimes unknown.

Discovered

One knows nearly 90% of his skeleton because approximately seven individuals were discovered in a cemetery in 1997 in Patagonie; but it should have been waited until 2006 so that its description appears. During these 8 last years, one believed that this dinosaur was a close relative of Spinosaurus (Spinosauridae).

External bonds

cranium of Mapusaurus

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