“¡Megaraptoridae!”
Taxonomy
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Sauropsida |
| Superorder | Dinosauria |
| Order | Theropoda |
| Family | Megaraptoridae |
Discovery and Classification
The first Megaraptoridae fossils were discovered in Argentina in 1996. The family was originally classified as a group of large, carnivorous theropods. However, further research has shown that Megaraptoridae were actually a diverse group of theropods that included both carnivores and herbivores.
Megaraptor
Megaraptor was a large, carnivorous theropod that lived in South America during the Late Cretaceous period.
| Species | Location | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Megaraptor namunhuaiquii | Argentina | Late Cretaceous |
Australovenator
Australovenator was a medium-sized, carnivorous theropod that lived in Australia during the Late Cretaceous period.
| Species | Location | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Australovenator wintonensis | Australia | Late Cretaceous |
Eotyrannus
Eotyrannus was a small, carnivorous theropod that lived in England during the Early Cretaceous period.
| Species | Location | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Eotyrannus lengi | England | Early Cretaceous |
Fukuiraptor
Fukuiraptor was a medium-sized, herbivorous theropod that lived in Japan during the Late Cretaceous period.
| Species | Location | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Fukuiraptor kitadaniensis | Japan | Late Cretaceous |
Paleobiology
Megaraptoridae were a diverse group of theropods that occupied a wide range of habitats. They were found on all continents except Antarctica, and they lived in a variety of environments, from forests to deserts.
Megaraptoridae were generally large, powerful animals. They had long necks, strong jaws, and sharp teeth. They were ambush predators that used their speed and agility to take down their prey.
Some Megaraptoridae, such as Fukuiraptor, were herbivores. These animals had long, narrow mouths and blunt teeth that were adapted for eating plants.
Extinction
The Megaraptoridae went extinct at the end of the Cretaceous period, along with most other dinosaurs.
The extinction of the Megaraptoridae was likely caused by a combination of factors, including climate change, volcanic eruptions, and asteroid impacts.
Conclusion
The Megaraptoridae were a fascinating and diverse group of theropods that lived during the Cretaceous period.
Their extinction at the end of the Cretaceous period was a major blow to the biodiversity of the Earth.