Scientists have discovered fossils in Mongolia of an early ancestor of the Tyrannosaurus Rex . The small dinosaur, who was named ‘Mongolian dragon prince’, sheds a new light on the family history and spreading the Tyrannosaurs.
The scientists investigated skeletons of two dinosaurs that had been in a museum in Mongolia since the early 1970s. They turned out to belong to a previously unknown species that is probably part of the family of the Tyrannosaurs, with the T. Rex as the best known member.
The species lived about 86 million years ago. The Dino was named Khankhuuluu Mongoliensis , which means as much as ‘Mongolian dragon prince’.
Khankhuuluu was eight times smaller than his more famous counterpart T. Rex , which means ‘king’ in Latin. “In the name we wanted to record that Khankhuuluu was a small, early form that had not yet developed into a king. It was still a prince,” scientist Darla Zelenitsky told Reuters news agency.
“The new dino tells us the development story of the Tyrannosaurus,” says Zelenitsky. The Dinosaurus is an evolutionary intermediate step between the little hunters within that family and the giant and iconic T. Rex . Earlier it was not entirely clear how those different types were related.
‘Prince’ probably migrated to North America
Presumably the dragon prince, or a counterpart, also migrated from Asia to North America. At that time the continents were connected. In North America, the Tyrannosaurus evolved millions of years later into a much larger species.
Multiple subspecies continued to migrate between North America and Asia in the following period. They did a sudden end to the dinosaurs era until 65 million years ago due to a meteorite impact.
Scientists in Mongolia have discovered fossils of an early ancestor of the tyrannosaurus rex . The Small Dinosaur, Named the ‘Mongolian Dragon Prince,’ Sheds New Light on the Family History and Distribution of the Tyrannosaurs.
The Scientists Examined Skeletons of Two Dinosaurs That had Been in a Museum in Mongolia Since the Early 1970S. These Turned out to belong to a previously unknown species that is believeed to be part of the tyrannosaur family, with the t. rex as its most famous member.
The Species Lived about 86 Million years ago. The Dino was the name Khankhuuluu Mongoliensis , which Means ‘Mongolian Dragon Prince’.
Khankhuuluu was Eight Times Smaller than its more famous counterpart T. Rex , which ‘King’ in Latin. “In the name, we wanted to capture that khankhuuluu was a small, early form that had not yet developed into a king. It was still a prince,” scientist Darla Zelenitsky Told News Agency Reuters .
“The New Dino Tells US The Origin Story of the Tyrannosaurus,” Says Zelenitsky. The Dinosaur is an evolutionary intermediate between the small hunters within that family and the giant and iconic T. rex . PreviOutly, it was not entirely clear how these Different Species Were Related.
‘Prince’ Probable Migrated to North America
Presumable, The Dragon Prince, or a similar species, also migrated from Asia to North America. At that time, the continents were connected. In North America, The Tyrannosaurus Evolved Millions of Years later Into a Much Larger Species.
Several subspecies Continued to Migrate between North America and Asia in the Following Period. They did so until a meteorite impact brought a saudden end to the dinosaur era 65 million years ago.