Mapusaurus is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived in South America during the Late Cretaceous period, around 100 million years ago. It was a bipedal predator that could grow up to 40 feet long and weigh up to three tons. Mapusaurus was a member of the carcharodontosaurid family, which also includes the famous Giganotosaurus.
The name “Mapusaurus” is derived from the Mapuche word “Mapu”, meaning “of the land” or “of the earth”, and the Greek word “sauros”, meaning “lizard”. The type species, Mapusaurus roseae, is named after the rose-colored rocks in which its fossils were found, as well as Rose Letwin, who sponsored the expeditions that recovered the fossils. Mapusaurus is known for its serrated teeth, powerful legs and tail, and possible cooperative hunting behavior with other Mapusaurus in packs to take down large prey such as titanosaurs.
Discovery and Naming
First Fossils
The fossils of Mapusaurus were first excavated by the Argentinian-Canadian Dinosaur Project between 1997 and 2001. The fossils were found in an exposure of the Huincul Formation (Rio Limay Subgroup, Cenomanian) at Cañadón del Gato. These fossils were described and named by paleontologists Rodolfo Coria and Phil Currie in 2006. The fossils included a reconstructed skull, which helped identify the dinosaur as a new species.
Etymology
The name Mapusaurus is derived from the Mapuche word Mapu, meaning ‘of the Land’ or ‘of the Earth’, and the Greek word sauros, meaning ‘lizard’. The name was chosen to reflect the dinosaur’s size and power. Mapusaurus was a large theropod dinosaur, measuring about 40 feet long and weighing around three tons. Its serrated teeth, powerful legs, and tail made it a formidable predator. The discovery of Mapusaurus fossils has provided new insights into the behavior and ecology of large theropod dinosaurs. Some scientists speculate that Mapusaurus and its relatives may have hunted cooperatively, like modern-day wolves or lions, to take down large prey.
Description
Mapusaurus was a large theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 100-90 million years ago. It was first discovered in Argentina, and its name means “earth lizard” in Greek.
Size and Dimensions
Mapusaurus was slightly smaller in size than its close relative, Giganotosaurus, measuring up to 11-12.2 meters (36-40 feet) long and weighing over 5 metric tons (5.5 short tons) at maximum. Its hindlimbs played a critical role in locomotion, allowing the dinosaur to achieve impressive running speeds. It could travel quickly across the landscape because of its thigh and calf muscles and extended bones.
Skull and Teeth
The skull of Mapusaurus was large and robust, with a long snout and sharp teeth. Its teeth were serrated and designed for slicing through flesh, indicating that it was a carnivorous predator. The skull also had a pair of large openings called fenestrae, which helped to reduce its weight and increase its agility.
Postcranial Skeleton
The postcranial skeleton of Mapusaurus was also well adapted for hunting. Its forelimbs were relatively short and had three fingers with sharp claws, which were likely used to grasp and hold onto prey. Its tail was long and stiff, which helped to balance its body during fast movements and turns.
In summary, Mapusaurus was a large and powerful theropod dinosaur that was well adapted for hunting and moving quickly across the landscape. Its size, strength, and agility made it a formidable predator during the Late Cretaceous period.
Classification
Taxonomy
Mapusaurus is a genus of large theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period in what is now Argentina. The dinosaur was first described by Rodolfo Coria and Philip Currie in 2006. The name Mapusaurus is derived from the indigenous Mapuche language and the Greek word sauros, meaning “lizard”. The type species is Mapusaurus roseae.
Phylogeny
Mapusaurus belongs to the family Carcharodontosauridae, which includes some of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs ever discovered. The classification of Mapusaurus has been a subject of debate, but a recent study by Coria and Currie confirmed that it is closely related to Giganotosaurus, another large theropod dinosaur from Argentina. Both Mapusaurus and Giganotosaurus are members of the subfamily Giganotosaurinae, which is characterized by their large size and elongated snouts.
Overall, the classification of Mapusaurus is still being studied and debated by paleontologists. However, its close relationship to Giganotosaurus and other carcharodontosaurids is well-established.
Paleobiology
Diet and Feeding Habits
Mapusaurus was a carnivorous dinosaur that fed on other large dinosaurs. Its broad and powerful skull was well-suited for tearing flesh, and its blade-like teeth were designed to slice through tough hide and bone. Scientists believe that Mapusaurus hunted in packs, using their size and strength to take down even the largest prey.
Growth Patterns
The fossil remains of Mapusaurus were discovered in a bone bed containing at least seven to possibly up to nine individuals of various growth stages. This suggests that Mapusaurus lived and hunted in groups, and that young Mapusaurus likely remained with their parents until they were fully grown.
Locomotion
Mapusaurus was a bipedal dinosaur that walked on two legs. Its powerful legs and muscular tail helped it to move quickly and efficiently, allowing it to chase down prey and evade predators. Scientists believe that Mapusaurus was a relatively fast runner, able to reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.
In summary, Mapusaurus was a large, powerful, and highly specialized carnivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. Its diet consisted of other large dinosaurs, and it likely hunted in packs. Mapusaurus grew and developed in groups, and was a fast and efficient runner, capable of chasing down prey and evading predators.
Paleoecology
Mapusaurus lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 99-94 million years ago, in what is now Argentina. The climate of the region was warm and humid, with seasonal rainfall. The landscape was dominated by extensive forests, rivers, and wetlands.
Habitat
Mapusaurus inhabited a variety of ecosystems, including floodplains, riverbanks, and forests. It is believed that they preferred areas with abundant prey, such as large herbivorous dinosaurs like Argentinosaurus and Andesaurus. The presence of Mapusaurus fossils in the same geological formation as these herbivores suggests that they may have lived in close proximity to each other.
Contemporaneous Fauna
During the Late Cretaceous, South America was home to a diverse range of dinosaurs, including some of the largest and most fearsome predators to ever walk the earth. In addition to Mapusaurus, the region was home to other large theropods like Giganotosaurus and Carcharodontosaurus, as well as smaller predators like Abelisaurus and Skorpiovenator.
Herbivorous dinosaurs like Argentinosaurus, Andesaurus, and Amargasaurus also roamed the landscape, along with smaller plant-eaters like Gasparinisaura and Notohypsilophodon. Other animals that shared the ecosystem with Mapusaurus include crocodiles, turtles, and various species of fish and birds.
Overall, the Late Cretaceous of South America was a time of great ecological diversity, with a wide range of predators and prey coexisting in a complex web of interactions. Mapusaurus was just one piece of this complex puzzle, but its role as a top predator would have had a significant impact on the ecosystem as a whole.
Cultural Impact
In Popular Media
Mapusaurus has been featured in several documentaries and TV shows, including the BBC’s “Planet Dinosaur” and Discovery Channel’s “Dinosaur Revolution.” The dinosaur’s imposing size and fierce appearance make it a popular subject in popular media. Its depiction in movies and TV shows has contributed to its popularity and has helped to educate people about the dinosaur’s existence.
Scientific Significance
Mapusaurus is significant in the scientific community because it provides insight into the behavior of theropod dinosaurs. Scientists speculate that Mapusaurus may have hunted in packs, which is a behavior that was previously thought to be exclusive to birds and mammals. The discovery of Mapusaurus has also helped scientists better understand the ecology of the Late Cretaceous period in South America.
In addition, the discovery and study of Mapusaurus has helped to shed light on the evolution of theropod dinosaurs. Its discovery has led to a better understanding of the diversity of theropods in South America during the Late Cretaceous period. The dinosaur’s unique features, such as its serrated teeth, have also provided scientists with important clues about the feeding behavior of theropod dinosaurs.
Overall, the discovery and study of Mapusaurus have contributed significantly to our understanding of dinosaur behavior and evolution. Its cultural impact has helped to educate people about the existence of this fascinating creature, and its scientific significance has provided important insights into the ecology and evolution of theropod dinosaurs.