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Large Shinbone Found in New Mexico Belongs to Close Kin of T. Rex
Researchers analyzed a 74-million-year-old shinbone from New Mexico, identifying it as a giant tyrannosaur close to T. rex, weighing about 4.7 tons, the largest known of its era.
- A new analysis released March 12 shows a large shinbone from New Mexico may belong to an early relative or ancestor of Tyrannosaurus rex, reported by Reuters. The tibia is housed at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science in Albuquerque.
- Radiometric dating of the Hunter Wash ash layer places the tibia at about 74 million years old in the Late Campanian, found decades ago in the Kirtland Formation by University of New Mexico students.
- The team reports the bone is about 96 centimeters long, and researchers estimate the animal weighed around 4,700 kilograms based on the tibia’s dimensions.
- The team argues this supports a southern Laramidia origin of big tyrannosaurids, and authors say more remains are needed and plan expanded museum-led searches, "to better constrain size and relationships."
- Critics note that a single tibia can't resolve Tyrannosaurus rex origins, as some argue it may belong to Bistahieversor or reflect size effects, requiring a skull to confirm ancestry.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Bone Found in New Mexico Reveals Early Ancestor of T. Rex
Multiple views of the fossilized tibia (shinbone) from the Hunter Wash tyrannosaur discovered in northwestern New Mexico. Credit: Nicholas R. Longrich et al. / CC BY 4.0 A fossilized bone discovered decades ago in northwestern New Mexico may belong to an ancestor of Tyrannosaurus rex (T. rex), according to a new scientific study. Researchers say the bone could represent a giant predator that lived several million years before the famous dinosaur…
Ancient Hungry Giants: Research Uncovers Early Evidence Of Massive T. Rex Relative In NM
NMMNHS News: ALBUQUERQUE — A team of scientists studying fossils at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science have identified a New Mexico fossil belonging to a surprisingly large and geologically old member of the lineage of dinosaurs that gave rise to the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex. This research, co-authored by New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science (NMMNHS) Executive Director Dr. Anthony Fiorillo and NMMNHS curator Dr. Spencer…
New Mexico fossil sparks new questions about Tyrannosaur origins
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Did a T. rex relative roam the Land of Enchantment millions of years ago? A new discovery out of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science suggests it did. "You're looking at the shin bone of a tyrannosaur, and this would be the part towards the ankle, and this would be [...]
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