60-70 million years before Tyrannosaurus rex dominated the dinosaur world, a smaller version of the famous and fearsome predator lived and hunted in what is now China. The newly discovered fossil resembles T. rex but is 1/100th the size (8 feet long and 175 pounds). Scientists named the dinosaur, Raptorex, the king of thieves. Raptorex shares many characteristics with its gigantic evolutionary cousin, such as huge jaws, well developed brain and olfactory center, powerful hind legs and tiny arms. These traits therefore developed before massive size.
The skeleton is nearly complete. Isn’t it beautiful?
Dr. Paul Serano discusses Raptorex and shares his ideas about the purpose of those tiny arms in this video.
References:
Science Express
New York Times
The Guardian
Not Exactly Rocket Science blog
1 comment:
The Pit Bull of its day.
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