:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/4084972/original/071183900_1657525858-dinosaurus-meraxes.jpg "Meraxez Gigas Dinosaur Fossil Found in Argentina, Similar to Gargoyle Mythological Creatures")
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The fossil of the dinosaur Meraxez Gigas, which had a large head resembling the mythical creature in Europe, the Gargoyle, was found in Argentina. (Luis Robayo/AFP)
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Scientists have long wondered why these three important subgroups of theropods have short arms, which are of little use when hunting. The three subgroups showed an increase in head size, while hand size decreased.
Researchers suspect they rely on their heads when preying.
“Despite their strong appearance, it’s hard to imagine these hands being used a lot. These hands aren’t even as long as their bodies and can’t reach their huge mouths,” Makovicky said. BetweenMonday (11/7/2022).
The paleontologist from CONICET, the Argentine research agency, Juan Ignacio Canale, suspects these hands were used to hold the female during mating or lift the body when the animal was prone.
Not all theropods have the same posture as the three subgroups. Spinosaurus had an elongated head for hunting prey that lived in water, while its arms were of medium length.
Meraxes was not the largest of the carcharodontosaurus, but its most complete fossil, consisting of an intact skull, hips and body.
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