Australopithecus was an apex predator of the Late Cretaceous

Mondo Science Updated on 2024-01-29

Australopithecus dinosaur was a predatory dinosaur that lived in the late Cretaceous period, belonging to the large carnivorous dinosaurs of the theropod suborder.

Origin of the name: The skull of Australopithecus was relatively low, and the length of the dentition of its maxilla was about 92 centimeters. The back of the nasal bone is very rough and full of folds, hence the name.

Biomechanical studies: The bite force of Australopithecus was weaker than that of Tyrannosaurus rex, so paleontologists believe that the large mouth of Australopithecus is more suitable for tearing the flesh of its prey, rather than directly crushing the bones of its prey like Tyrannosaurus rex.

Tooth characteristics: The teeth of Australopithecus d'A. australopithecus were relatively thin, with serrations at both the anterior and posterior margins, with a serration density of about 9-12 serrations per millimeter. The surface of the tooth has pronounced enamel folds.

Skeletal Characteristics: The skull of the Australopithecus was large and square, with 70 sharp teeth, the largest of which was 30 centimeters long. In addition, its femur is connected to the belt.

Discovery & Specimens: The first fossil of Australopithecus was discovered in the Argentine desert in 1993 by a car mechanic named Ruben Caroline. The skeleton preserves 40% of the skeleton, including part of the skull, part of the cervical vertebrae, shoulder blades, most of the vertebrae and ribs, pelvis, most of the hind limbs, and part of the tail vertebrae.

Environment: Australopithecus lived in Argentina during the late Cretaceous period and was one of the most potent land predators in the history of the planet.

Overall, Australopithesia was a large, predatory dinosaur with a powerful bite and sharp teeth. The discovery of its fossils provides important information for us to understand the ecological environment and dinosaur evolution in the late Cretaceous.

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