Jakarta –
Tyrannosauridae, a group of carnivorous dinosaurs, known to prey on plant-eating jumbo dinosaurs (megaherbivores). A recent study found fossils of this carnivorous but juvenile dinosaur when it died, complete with food in its stomach.
“In this paper, we describe the specimen Gorgosaurus libratus an extraordinary one, which preserves twice as many dinosaurs caegannathid 1 year old in his stomach,” reported Francois Therrien and his fellow researchers in the results of their study in the journal Science Advancespublished Friday (8/12/2023).
The discovery of carnivorous dinosaur fossils from the Tyrannosauridae group came from the Upper Cretaceous Dinosaur Park Formation (~75.3 Ma) in Alberta, Canada.
Photo and illustration of small dinosaur feet in the stomach of a carnivorous dinosaur Gorgosaurus libratus. Foto: Francois Therrien et al in Science Advances
Diet of Juvenile and Adult Dinosaurs
Comparative estimate of victim sizeGorgosaurus libratus, and humans. Images B and C show no growth lines on the prey, indicating it is less than 1 year old. Photo: Francois Therrien et al in Science Advances
Researchers underline that this group of dinosaurs was carnivorous Tyrannosauridae live in different ecologies during their lifetime. This is known from major changes in skull strength and body proportions as they grow.
Initially, researchers only knew about the prey of adult carnivorous dinosaurs, which were usually giant herbivorous dinosaurs. Fossil finds Gorgosaurus libratus These juveniles provide their prey with information that influences their growth towards adulthood.
The study found, victims G balanced cut into pieces and eaten at two separate times. This juvenile dinosaur is thought to have started hunting small and young dinosaurs to meet energy needs.
Juvenile versions of these carnivorous dinosaurs are thought to have eaten small dinosaur species such as Citipes. With a body weighing 335 kg, G balanced only eat small dinosaurs weighing 20 kg human size.
The knife-like teeth on its narrow skull allow G libratus to catch and dismember its prey. Meanwhile, as adults, their skulls are noted to change to become wider and bigger, their teeth are also bigger. This adaptation is thought to function to hold large prey, bite bones, and scrape and tear flesh from carcasses.
Tyrannosaurus become mesopredators (medium-sized carnivores) and top predators in adulthood. Therefore, researchers estimate that the juvenile version then underwent a transition by eating megaherbivorous dinosaurs so that its evolution was successful.
Life of Young and Adult Carnivores
Illustration Gorgosaurus libratus in nature. Photo: Julius Csotonyi / Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology / University of Calgary
Young dinosaurs that ate different prey to adult dinosaurs were thought to reduce competition for food. The number of prey is small like Citipes 1 year old is estimated to be abundant. Because, oviraptorosaurus like Citipes It is known to lay large numbers of eggs, more than 30 eggs per clutch.
The bigger, the competition G balanced It is estimated that it will be smaller because the opponent is not as big as them. Examples like dromaeosauridae and troodontidae, which is less than 3 meters long and has sickle claws.
Entering adulthood, eating megaherbivorous dinosaurs is thought to influence the strengthening of the skull and teeth Tyrannosauroidea. Accelerated growth allows these carnivores to dominate the position of top predator as adults and mesopredator as juveniles.
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(twu/pal)
2023-12-14 01:30:59
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