Tarbosaurus is a genus of tyrannosaurine theropod dinosaur that lived in Asia about 70 million years ago, during the Maastrichtian age at the end of the Late Cretaceous period. It is considered to contain a single known species: Tarbosaurus bataar. Fossils have been recovered from the Nemegt Formation of Mongolia.
Tarbosaurus bataar was a large carnivorous theropod dinosaur from Central Asia and nearly as large as T. rex. While T. rex can be called the king of North American dinosaurs during the Late Cretaceous, Tarbosaurus was its counterpart in Asia. It had the smallest arms of any large tyrannosaur relative.
Tarbosaurus is often compared to the Tyrannosaurus rex, as they are close cousins. However, Tarbosaurus is slightly smaller than T. rex, with a shorter skull and smaller teeth. Despite these differences, Tarbosaurus was still a formidable predator, with powerful jaws and sharp teeth that were used to rip apart its prey.
Taxonomy and Classification
Family and Genus
Tarbosaurus is a genus of theropod dinosaur that belongs to the family Tyrannosauridae. This family is known for its large size, sharp teeth, and powerful jaws. Tarbosaurus is closely related to other tyrannosaurids such as Tyrannosaurus rex and Albertosaurus.
The name Tarbosaurus comes from the Greek words “tarbos” meaning “alarming” and “sauros” meaning “lizard”. It was named by the Russian paleontologist Evgeny Maleev in 1955. Tarbosaurus is the only known genus of tyrannosaurid dinosaur from Asia.
Species Recognition
Tarbosaurus bataar is the only recognized species of Tarbosaurus. It was first described by Maleev in 1955, based on a partial skull and some other skeletal remains found in Mongolia. Since then, many more fossils of Tarbosaurus bataar have been discovered in Mongolia and China.
Tarbosaurus bataar is known for its large size, sharp teeth, and powerful jaws. It was a carnivorous dinosaur that preyed on other large dinosaurs, such as hadrosaurs and sauropods. Its bite force was estimated to be between 8,000 and 10,000 pounds, making it one of the strongest biters of any dinosaur.
History of Discovery
First Discoveries
The Tarbosaurus is a large carnivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. The first discoveries of Tarbosaurus fossils were made in the Gobi Desert, in the Ömnögovi Province of Mongolia. In 1946, a joint Soviet-Mongolian expedition uncovered a large skull and some vertebrae from the Nemegt Formation.
Major Fossil Finds
In 1955, a Soviet paleontologist, Evgeny Maleev, made this specimen the holotype (PIN 551-1) of a new species, which he called Tyrannosaurus bataar. Later, it was renamed Tarbosaurus bataar. Since then, many other fossils of Tarbosaurus have been found in Mongolia and China.
One of the most significant fossil finds was made in 2006, when a team of Mongolian and American paleontologists discovered a nearly complete Tarbosaurus skeleton, nicknamed “Big John.” This specimen provided valuable insights into the anatomy and behavior of Tarbosaurus.
Overall, the discovery of Tarbosaurus fossils has greatly contributed to our understanding of the Late Cretaceous ecosystem and the evolution of theropod dinosaurs.
Physical Description
Tarbosaurus was a large predatory dinosaur that lived in Asia during the Late Cretaceous period, about 70 million years ago. This dinosaur was closely related to the more well-known Tyrannosaurus rex and shared many of its physical characteristics.
Size and Weight
Tarbosaurus was one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs that ever lived, measuring up to 12 meters (39 feet) in length and weighing as much as 5,000 kilograms (11,000 pounds). It had a massive head, powerful jaws, and sharp teeth that were up to 25 centimeters (10 inches) long.
Distinctive Features
Tarbosaurus had several distinctive features that set it apart from other theropod dinosaurs. One of the most notable features was its short and robust skull, which was heavily built to withstand the stresses of biting and tearing. It also had small, two-fingered arms that were not useful for grasping prey or manipulating objects.
Another distinctive feature of Tarbosaurus was its large and muscular hind legs, which allowed it to run at high speeds and deliver powerful kicks. Its long tail also played a crucial role in maintaining balance and stability while running and turning.
Overall, Tarbosaurus was a formidable predator that dominated the Late Cretaceous ecosystem of Asia. Its massive size, powerful jaws, and distinctive features made it one of the most fearsome creatures of its time.
Paleobiology
Tarbosaurus was a large theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. Its paleobiology can be studied through analysis of its fossils and comparisons with other tyrannosaurids.
Diet and Hunting
Tarbosaurus was a carnivorous predator, and its diet likely consisted of other dinosaurs and smaller animals. Its massive skull was designed for powerful biting and crushing, and it had sharp teeth that could slice through flesh and bone. Tarbosaurus was also likely an ambush predator, using its size and strength to surprise and overpower its prey.
Growth and Life Stages
Like other tyrannosaurids, Tarbosaurus likely went through distinct stages of growth and development. Juvenile Tarbosaurus would have been smaller and more agile than adults, and would have had to compete with other predators for food and resources. Adult Tarbosaurus would have been much larger and more powerful, and would have been at the top of the food chain in its ecosystem.
Locomotion
Tarbosaurus was a bipedal dinosaur, meaning that it walked on two legs. Its hind legs were large and muscular, allowing it to move quickly and efficiently across the landscape. Its forelimbs were much smaller and less developed, and were likely used primarily for grasping and manipulating prey. Despite its size, Tarbosaurus was likely a relatively fast and agile predator, able to pursue and catch its prey with ease.
Habitat and Distribution
Geological Period
Tarbosaurus lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 70-65 million years ago. This period was marked by high sea levels and warm temperatures, leading to the formation of shallow seas and large swampy areas. The climate was generally humid and tropical, with occasional dry spells.
Geographical Range
Tarbosaurus fossils have been found in Asia, specifically in Mongolia and China. Mongolia is home to the largest number of Tarbosaurus fossils, with many discoveries made in the Gobi Desert. The fossils have been found in sedimentary rocks and sandstones, indicating that the Tarbosaurus lived in areas with a lot of sediment deposition.
Tarbosaurus likely lived in forested areas near rivers and lakes. These areas would have provided ample prey for the carnivorous dinosaur, including hadrosaurs and sauropods. The warm and humid climate would have also allowed for a diverse range of plant life, which would have supported a variety of herbivorous dinosaurs.
Overall, Tarbosaurus was a formidable predator that lived in a unique and fascinating environment during the Late Cretaceous period.
Cultural Impact
In Museums
Tarbosaurus has had a significant impact on museum exhibits around the world. Many museums have Tarbosaurus skeletons on display, including the American Museum of Natural History, the Field Museum in Chicago, and the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada. These skeletons are often the centerpieces of the dinosaur exhibits and attract many visitors.
In addition to skeletons, museums also display Tarbosaurus fossils such as teeth and bones. These fossils provide valuable information about the dinosaur’s anatomy and behavior. Visitors can learn about the Tarbosaurus’s hunting techniques and how it compared to other carnivorous dinosaurs.
Tarbosaurus in Media
Tarbosaurus has also made appearances in various forms of media. In the 2011 South Korean film “The War of the Arrows,” a Tarbosaurus is depicted as the main antagonist. The dinosaur is portrayed as a fierce predator that terrorizes the film’s protagonists.
In the popular video game “ARK: Survival Evolved,” players can encounter and tame Tarbosaurus as a mount. The game’s developers have included the dinosaur’s distinctive features, such as its large skull and sharp teeth, to make it a formidable creature in the game.
Overall, Tarbosaurus has left a lasting impact on popular culture and continues to fascinate people around the world. From museum exhibits to movies and video games, the dinosaur’s legacy lives on.