Latest news with #KhankhuuluuMongoliensis
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Science
- Time of India
Meet the 'Dragon Prince': New dinosaur discovery rewrites the Tyrannosaur family tree
A fascinating fossil discovery in Mongolia has uncovered a new species of dinosaur that could reshape everything we thought we knew about the evolution of Tyrannosaurs. Named Khankhuuluu Mongoliensis, or "Dragon Prince of Mongolia", this 86-million-year-old predator is now considered the closest known ancestor of the fearsome Tyrannosaurus rex. With its transitional traits and smaller size, the find reveals a crucial evolutionary chapter between small, agile hunters and the massive apex predators that ruled the Late Cretaceous. Scientists say the discovery, buried for decades in a museum collection, offers fresh insight into how Tyrannosaurs evolved their powerful bite, skull shape, and dominant ecological role in both Asia and North America. A dinosaur fossil of 'Dragon Price' hidden in plain sight The partial skeletons that led to this discovery were actually excavated in Mongolia back in the 1970s. At the time, they were thought to belong to a species called Alectrosaurus. It wasn't until PhD student Jared Voris took a closer look, decades later, that the unique features of this new species began to emerge. Working alongside Professor Darla Zelenitsky from the University of Calgary, Voris spotted key differences in the skull and nasal bones that clearly separated it from other known dinosaurs. What is Khankhuuluu Mongoliensis Named after the word for 'dragon' in Mongolian and the region it was found in, Khankhuuluu Mongoliensis bridges a crucial gap in the Tyrannosaur timeline. Weighing around 750 kilograms, it was far smaller than the T. rex, which could tip the scales at over 6 tonnes. But it had key traits that hint at the future kings of the dinosaur world. Its skull showed signs of strengthening, and its jaw was developing the structure needed for the bone-crushing bite Tyrannosaurs are known for. The evolution of Tyrannosaurs Early members of the Tyrannosaur family were small, quick-footed hunters living in the shadows of larger meat-eaters. Khankhuuluu represents a shift from these agile predators towards the bulkier, more powerful giants of the Late Cretaceous. With stronger jaws and a larger build than its predecessors, it shows how evolution favoured size and strength over time. These adaptations eventually led to the dominance of species like T. rex, which could take down massive prey and even crush bones. A journey across continents Another important insight from this discovery is the role of ancient land bridges between Asia and North America. During the Late Cretaceous period, areas like Siberia and Alaska were connected, allowing species like Tyrannosaurs to migrate and evolve in new environments. This movement helped spark the emergence of distinct groups on different continents, explaining how similar predators could be found in both Asia and North America. Rewriting the family tree With the addition of Khankhuuluu Mongoliensis to the record, palaeontologists now have a clearer picture of how Tyrannosaurs evolved. It fills a key gap between the small early forms and the gigantic predators that came later. The findings, published in the journal Nature, could prompt scientists to revisit other old fossils that may have been misclassified. This discovery serves as a reminder that sometimes the answers to big questions have been waiting quietly in storage. What museum collections can still teach us What makes this story even more remarkable is that the fossil had been sitting in a Mongolian museum for over 40 years. It highlights how valuable museum collections are and how new techniques, fresh perspectives and even young researchers can uncover major breakthroughs from existing specimens. Not every discovery requires a dig, some are hidden in plain sight. Before the kings, there were princes The discovery of Khankhuuluu Mongoliensis gives us a rare look at the early days of a dynasty. While this dinosaur didn't have the size or fearsome presence of its famous descendants, it carried the building blocks of what would become one of Earth's most iconic predators. As Professor Zelenitsky put it, 'Before Tyrannosaurs became the kings, they were princes.' And this dragon prince may just be the missing link we didn't know we needed.
Sustainability Times
2 days ago
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'I Seen Predatory Horse With Razor Teeth': Scientists Unveil 86-Million-Year-Old T. Rex Ancestor That Redefines Dinosaur Evolution
IN A NUTSHELL 🦖 Khankhuuluu mongoliensis is an 86-million-year-old dinosaur species discovered in Mongolia, providing new insights into tyrannosaur evolution. is an 86-million-year-old dinosaur species discovered in Mongolia, providing new insights into tyrannosaur evolution. 📜 The fossils fill a crucial gap in the evolutionary timeline, linking smaller ancestors to the giant Tyrannosaurus rex . . 🐎 This medium-sized predator, roughly the size of a horse, relied on speed and agility rather than bone-crunching power. 🔍 The study, led by researchers at the University of Calgary, highlights the dynamic evolution of tyrannosaurs over millions of years. In a remarkable discovery, paleontologists have unearthed a new piece in the evolutionary puzzle of the Tyrannosaurus rex. A recent study has brought to light a medium-sized predator that roamed the Earth 86 million years ago, offering fresh insights into the lineage of these iconic dinosaurs. This creature, identified from fossils found in Mongolia, fills a crucial gap in our understanding of how the mighty T. rex evolved from its smaller ancestors. The species, named Khankhuuluu mongoliensis, or 'the dragon prince,' provides a fascinating glimpse into the past, allowing us to trace the fascinating journey from small predators to the apex predators we know today. The Discovery of Khankhuuluu Mongoliensis The discovery of Khankhuuluu mongoliensis marks a significant milestone in paleontological research. Originally unearthed in the 1970s in the Bayanshiree Formation of southeastern Mongolia, these fossils were initially misclassified. It wasn't until researchers Jared Voris and Dr. Darla Zelenitsky from the University of Calgary revisited the site in 2023 that the true nature of these fossils was uncovered. The team noted the distinctive features of the remains, particularly the hollow snout bone, which pointed clearly to an early member of the tyrannosaur family. This species, roughly the size of a horse, weighed around 1,653 pounds and measured 13 feet in length. Its discovery provides a new understanding of the evolutionary sequence leading to the Tyrant Lizard King, the T. rex. The name Khankhuuluu, translating to 'the dragon prince,' is a nod to its role as a precursor to one of the most iconic predators in history. This Prehistoric Armored Fish From 465 Million Years Ago Could Be the Key to Understanding Why Our Teeth Still Hurt The Missing Evolutionary Gap For years, the evolutionary path of tyrannosaurs from small creatures to the colossal T. rex remained a mystery, with significant gaps in the fossil record. These dinosaurs began their journey around 150 million years ago during the Jurassic period as modest-sized tyrannosaurids. It was only in the late Cretaceous period that they grew into the giants we are familiar with today. The newly identified fossils of Khankhuuluu mongoliensis are crucial in filling this gap. They offer a rare glimpse into a transitional phase, illustrating how these dinosaurs evolved from smaller predators to become the dominant force in their ecosystems. The discovery of these fossils not only enhances our understanding of tyrannosaur evolution but also highlights the dynamic changes that occurred during their ascent to dominance. '8,000 Dinosaur Bones Found': Canada's Fossil Graveyard Reveals One of the Most Terrifying Prehistoric Mass Death Sites Ever Unearthed Physical Characteristics and Lifestyle Khankhuuluu mongoliensis, with its lean build and significant size, was an adept hunter. Unlike its massive descendants, this species had a long, shallow skull, indicating it lacked the ability to crunch bones like the T. rex. Instead, it relied on speed and agility, similar to modern-day mesopredators like coyotes, to hunt and capture prey. The presence of tiny, rudimentary horns on its head suggests that these features might have played a role in mating rituals or intimidation displays. Over time, these features evolved into the more prominent horns seen in later tyrannosaurs such as Albertosaurus. The creature's unique combination of features underscores the diversity and adaptability of the tyrannosaur lineage, providing a deeper understanding of the evolutionary pressures that shaped these formidable predators. 'This Thing Shouldn't Exist': Scientists Stunned as Humanity Witnesses This Deep-Sea Monster Alive for the First Time Ever Implications for Tyrannosaur Research The discovery of Khankhuuluu mongoliensis has profound implications for the study of tyrannosaurs. By bridging a critical gap in the fossil record, it allows scientists to trace the evolutionary trajectory of these dinosaurs with greater accuracy. This newfound knowledge not only enriches our understanding of tyrannosaur evolution but also offers broader insights into the ecological dynamics of prehistoric times. Researchers continue to study the fossils to uncover more about the lifestyle and environment of this fascinating creature. The ongoing analysis of its physical characteristics and the ecological context in which it lived promises to shed light on the evolutionary adaptations that enabled tyrannosaurs to thrive and diversify into some of the largest land predators in history. The discovery of Khankhuuluu mongoliensis opens new avenues for research and invites us to ponder the incredible journey of evolution. As we continue to uncover the mysteries of these ancient creatures, what other secrets might the past hold about the rise of the world's most fearsome predators? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (21)
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Tiny tyrannosaur species discovered in Mongolia
A new species of dinosaur has been discovered, which scientists say shows how tyrannosaurs evolved from smaller predators the size of a horse. The 'Dragon Prince', whose bones were found in a Mongolian museum, is thought to be about 20 million years older than the Tyrannosaurus Rex and provides a 'missing link' in the evolution of the apex predators. The skeleton of the Khankhuuluu Mongoliensis demonstrates where the T-Rex got its vicious bite, researchers who 'rediscovered' the species said. 'We see features in its nasal bone that eventually gave tyrannosaurs those very powerful bite forces,' said Jared Voris, from the University of Calgary, the researcher who found the bones. The fossils were initially found in the early 1970s, but at the time were misidentified as belonging to a different tyrannosaur, Alectrosaurus. The bones were put away in a drawer at the Institute of Palaeontology of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences in the capital Ulaanbaatar, until they were re-discovered by then-PhD student Mr Voris. He was handed two plastic tubes full of bones while visiting the institute – and eventually found the fossils were partial skeletons of two different dinosaurs from a new species. Darla Zelenitsky, a palaeontologist from the University of Calgary, said: 'It is quite possible that discoveries like this are sitting in other museums that just have not been recognised.' The skeleton shows that the 'Dragon Prince' was about four metres long and weighed only 750kg, according to the findings, published in the academic journal Nature. An adult T-Rex is believed to have weighed eight times as much. 'They were these really small, fleet-footed predators that lived in the shadows of other apex predatory dinosaurs,' said Dr Voris. 'This discovery shows us that, before tyrannosaurs became the kings, they were princes,' said Zelenitsky. The finding is considered a 'transitional' fossil and has helped clarify the evolution of the tyrannosaur family, which was 'really messy previously,' said Dr Zelenitsky. 'What makes them so important is their age,' said Stephen Brusatte, a palaeontologist at the University of Edinburgh who was not involved in the study. 'They are about 86 million years old, a good 20 million years older than T-Rex. It has been a frustrating gap in the record.' The discovery also helps to paint the migration patterns of the tyrannosaurs. They show that T-Rex's direct ancestors probably migrated from Asia to North America across a land bridge that used to connect Siberia and Alaska 85 million years ago, Dr Zelenitsky said. Tyrannosaurs then evolved in North America and remained there for the next several million years, she said. 'As the many tyrannosaur species evolved on the continent, they became larger and larger,' said Dr Zelenitsky. The records are incomplete so scientists are unsure of what happened in Asia 80 million years ago. However, the Khankhuuluu may have later been replaced by larger, more dominant, tyrannosaurs. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
