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New Australian dinosaurs and the oldest megaraptorid fossils in the world

Researchers have discovered fossils of the world's oldest known megaraptorids and the first evidence of carcharodontosaurs in Australia, rewriting the evolutionary history of theropod dinosaurs in this region.
These fossils, unearthed between 121.4 and 108 million years ago, reveal a unique predator hierarchy in Cretaceous Australia and provide new insights into its ancient ecosystem.
The discoveries highlight the essential contributions of community members to the ongoing Dinosaur Dreaming project, which has led to significant fossil discoveries over nearly 40 years.
Dr. Thomas Rich noted that the findings indicate faunal interchange between Australia and South America, challenging previous assumptions about predator size hierarchies in Gondwanan ecosystems.

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Cosmos Science

New fossils found in Australia show a unique ecosystem with carnivorous dinosaurs

Dinosaur fossils found in southeastern Australia reveal a unique ecosystem unlike any other in the world. The research, published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, describes a hierarchy of predators in Cretaceous Australia which is unlike anywhere else. Aerial view at Twin Reefs fossil site in Bunurong Coastal Reserve. Supplied. The fossils were unearthed along the coast of the state of Victoria. They are from the roughly 120-million-ye…

2 days ago·Washington, United States

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IFLScience

World’s Oldest Megaraptorid Reveals A Predatory Hierarchy In Cretaceous Australian Dinosaurs

One branch of theropods were giants in South America while another filled smaller niches, but in Australia they reversed roles.

2 days ago

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Spiegel

Australia: Researchers find dinosaur fossils of the oldest megaraptor

New dinofossils provide information on the hierarchy of predators during the Cretaceous period. A researcher speaks of groundbreaking findings. This is also about curious body sizes.

Carnivorous dinosaurs thrived in Australia 120 million years ago, new fossils show

The shinbone of a megaraptorid. Nadir Kinani/Museums VictoriaBetween 122 and 108 million years ago, the Australian landmass was much farther south than today. Victoria was positioned within the Antarctic Circle, separated from Tasmania by a vast rift valley rather than open sea. This was the Early Cretaceous, and lush forests filled with dinosaurs dominated the landscape. We still find traces of these animals in Victoria’s fossil record. Most of…

3 days ago

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Sci Tech Daily

120-Million-Year-Old Fossils in Australia Just Rewrote Dinosaur Evolution

Fossils of the world’s oldest megaraptorid and the first-ever carcharodontosaurs in Australia have been discovered, completely altering the known predator hierarchy of the Cretaceous era. These finds suggest that, unlike in South America, where carcharodontosaurs were massive apex predators, in Australia, megaraptorids took center stage. Fossil Discovery Rewrites Dinosaur History Groundbreaking research published today (February [...]

New Australian dinosaurs and the oldest megaraptorid fossils in the world

Research published today in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology has unveiled a landmark discovery—fossils of the world's oldest known megaraptorid and the first evidence of carcharodontosaurs in Australia. These finds rewrite the evolutionary history of theropod dinosaurs, uncovering a predator hierarchy unique to Cretaceous Australia.

3 days ago·United Kingdom

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