Scientists discovered a new species of tyrannosaurus 24 years after the remains were found

Scientists have discovered a new species of tyrannosaurus 24 years after the remains were found

mike_kiev/Depositphotos

Scientists have discovered a new species of tyrannosaurus, which changes the perception of their habitat. Before that, his remains lay in a drawer in one of the Mexican museums for 24 years.

The discovery was described in the article, published in the scientific journal Fossil Studies, writes IFLScience.

The new dinosaur species was named Labocania aguillonae. His remains have been in a drawer in the Mexican Desert Museum since 2000.

At first, they looked more like a pile of debris to scientists. However, a detailed analysis showed that the bones are not just a spare museum exhibit. They belonged to a previously unknown representative of tyrannosaurs.

This genus is considered North American. Most of the legendary tyrannosaurs – Albertosaurinae or Daspletosaurin – came from the territory of modern Canada and the state of Montana (USA). Even the Tyrannosaurus Rex lived mainly in Montana and Wyoming.

Only recently have researchers found several species of tyrannosaurs further south. These are Teratophoneus curriei (Utah), Bistahieversor sealeyi and Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis (New Mexico).

The further to the south, the fewer finds of representatives of this genus. The north probably has more fossils, but there’s also been more fieldwork, so it’s easier to find dinosaur bones if you’re really looking for them.

Visualization of the skeleton of Labocania aguillonae

Hector E. Rivera-Sylva, Nicholas R. Longrich/Fossil Studies

Until now, only one described species was found in Mexico in 1974. Now there is a debate about how closely it is related to other tyrannosaurs.

According to paper co-author Hector Rivera-Silva, the discovery of L. aguillonae, based on a femur, parts of a pelvis, spine and skull, is “particularly important for the region.”

Scientists suggest that L. aguillonae was relatively light in build, with long legs and large eyes. It is probably closely related to other southern tyrannosaurs – L. anomala, B. sealeyi and T. curriei – and belongs to the group Teratophonii.

The discovery of a particular species of tyrannosaurus in the Mexican desert may hint at a larger habitat and diversity of these animals than previously thought.

We will remind, scientists revealed the secret the origin of the asteroid that crashed into Earth 66 million years ago and caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.