Saurophaganax
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Saurophaganax is a genus of large theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period. It is known from fossil remains discovered in the Morrison Formation of Oklahoma, United States. The name Saurophaganax means "lizard-eating master," reflecting its position as a top predator in its ecosystem.
Discovery and Naming[edit | edit source]
The first fossils of Saurophaganax were discovered in the 1930s by John Willis Stovall. Initially, these remains were attributed to the genus Allosaurus, but further studies led to the establishment of Saurophaganax as a separate genus. The type species, Saurophaganax maximus, was named by Daniel Chure in 1995.
Description[edit | edit source]
Saurophaganax was a large theropod, estimated to have been around 10.5 meters (34 feet) in length, making it one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs of its time. It had a robust skull with sharp, serrated teeth, powerful hind limbs, and a long tail that provided balance and agility.
Classification[edit | edit source]
Saurophaganax is classified within the family Allosauridae, which includes other large theropods such as Allosaurus and Epanterias. Its exact phylogenetic position within the Allosauridae family is still a subject of debate among paleontologists.
Paleoecology[edit | edit source]
Saurophaganax lived in the Morrison Formation, a sedimentary rock formation that dates to the Late Jurassic period, approximately 150 million years ago. This formation is known for its rich dinosaur fauna, including herbivorous dinosaurs like Diplodocus and Stegosaurus, as well as other predators like Ceratosaurus and Torvosaurus. Saurophaganax likely preyed on large herbivorous dinosaurs, using its size and strength to overpower them.
Significance[edit | edit source]
The discovery of Saurophaganax has provided valuable insights into the diversity and evolution of large theropods during the Late Jurassic period. It also highlights the complexity of predator-prey relationships in the Morrison Formation ecosystem.
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References[edit | edit source]
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