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An in depth look at the Abelisauridae

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Carnosaur

MemberCompsognathusMar-21-2014 6:51 AM

these odd creatures were some of the dominant predators of europe during the cretacious.

Abelisauridae is a clade of theropods that was identified in the 1980s based on Abelisaurus and Carnotaurus,. So far, they are known mostly from the late Cretaceous of the Southern Hemisphere. Many of them appear to have been of moderate size; ranging from 5-10 meters in most species.They were the  equivalent of the tyrannosaurids, being the top predators (after the spinosaurids and charcarodontosaurids were out of the way in the early Late Cretaceous).

They're large skulls, and very small arms are what make these animals truly stand out.

Why the tiny arms?

Well, for that answer, we will need to look at the Tyrannosaurs. Impressively massive animals, with large heads and small arms. Sound familiar?

The truth of the matter is....As more mass was added to the skeletal frame, the Abelisaur needed to make up for the additional weight some how. The front end (the head) grew larger to accomodate and balance the animals mass out, the long stiff tail also aided in this. The arms were already a not so useful hunting tool, and over many a generation, they began to grow even smaller. In some species, they are vestigial.

Carnotaurus sastrei (detail) (mcwetboy) Tags: museum fossil dinosaur exhibit theropod carnosaur carnotaurus taxonomy:binomial=carnotaurussastrei

However, they sport impressive skulls. Abelisauridae skulls have deep upper jaws with tall snouts, and slim lower jaws. They also have "cheeks" expanded side to side, like those of tyrannosaurids, perhaps conferring an additional degree of binocular vision over predators with more narrow skulls. This also may be a feature of convergent evolution.

That being said, the larger abelisaurs could have held the same niche as the northern Tyrannosaurs. Surely, some of the largest (ekrixinatosaurus) would boast a powerful bite. One high enough to crunch bone. The broad skull of Ekrixinatosaurus makes the others of the clade seem wimpy.

Ekrixinatosaurus lived at the same time of Giganotosaurus and Mapusaurus, and the Spinosaur Oxalaia. It would have it's own niche, attacking and killing the smaller, yet harder to kill animals. A high bite force would be useful in this.

However, some abelisaurs have suprisingly small teeth and fragile appearing skulls. Rugops primus is a prime example. Living with the far larger animals - spinosaurus and Carcharodontosaurus - it would most likely act like the modern jackal, scavenging on occasion, but making small kills from time to time.

And it seems there's an even larger Abelisaur ranging from Tanzania. If you have any info, leave it in the comments!

 

Nature doesn't deceive us; it is we who deceive ourselves.

6 Replies

UCMP 118742

MemberCompsognathusMar-21-2014 9:27 AM

Âbelisaurids sure are interesting.  Such impressive beasts, they are also one of my facorite theropod clades. I've heard about that african Abelisaurid, I think it's been dubbed Kenyavenator on this forum, but hasn't recieved an official name. There isn't too much known about it other than it lived in Africa and was comparable to Ekrixinatosaurus in size.

Keep in mind that many people have died for their beliefs; it's actually quite common. The real courage is in living and suffering for what you believe in. -Brom-

Rex Fan 684

MemberCompsognathusMar-21-2014 1:14 PM

It was actually dubbed Titanovenator kenyanis here ;)

 

"Titanovenator" was 11-12 meters long and probably weighed 5-6 tons, a bit bigger than Ekrixinatosaurus. It was found in late Cretaceous rock in Kenya. Based on it's size and lack of competition, it was probably the top predator.

 

My favorite abelisaur is Tarascosaurus.

"Men like me don't start the wars. We just die in them. We've always died in them, and we always will. We don't expect any praise for it, no parades. No one knows our names." ―Alpha-98

Lord Vader

MemberTyrannosaurus RexMar-21-2014 2:55 PM

Rex Fan is right when he says Titanovenator. I even included it in DD9097LS.

 

Abelisaurs are interesting creatures for sure.

Jack of all trades. Master of none

UCMP 118742

MemberCompsognathusMar-22-2014 4:39 AM

Ah well, I was almost right.

Keep in mind that many people have died for their beliefs; it's actually quite common. The real courage is in living and suffering for what you believe in. -Brom-

Carnosaur

MemberCompsognathusMar-22-2014 9:50 AM

titanovenator has a nice ring to it.. Ekrixinatosaurus sized?

11-12 meters and 5-ish tons? sounds about right.

Nature doesn't deceive us; it is we who deceive ourselves.

Rex Fan 684

MemberCompsognathusMar-22-2014 10:24 AM

Yup. Exriniatosaurus was roughly 10-11 meters long and 4 or so tons. Titanovenator was at least that big, probably bigger.

 

DinoSteve had actually drawn it once...

 

"Men like me don't start the wars. We just die in them. We've always died in them, and we always will. We don't expect any praise for it, no parades. No one knows our names." ―Alpha-98
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