This paper describes a new tyrannosaurin species, *Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis*, from the Campanian-Maastrichtian Hall Lake Formation of New Mexico. *T. mcraeensis*, based on a previously misidentified fossil, predates *T. rex* by ~6-7 million years yet was comparable in size. Phylogenetic analysis places *T. mcraeensis* as a sister taxon to *T. rex*, suggesting Tyrannosaurini originated in southern Laramidia. The coexistence of giant tyrannosaurs, ceratopsians, hadrosaurs, and titanosaurs in southern Laramidia indicates a pattern of large-bodied dinosaur evolution at low latitudes in North America.
Publisher
Scientific Reports
Published On
Jan 23, 2024
Authors
Sebastian G Dalman, Mark A Loewen, R Alexander Pyron, Steven E Jasinski, D Edward Malinzak, Spencer G Lucas, Anthony R Fiorillo, Philip J Currie, Nicholas R Longrich
Tags
Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis
Campanian-Maastrichtian
Hall Lake Formation
tyrannosaur evolution
southern Laramidia
dinosaur coexistence
phylogenetic analysis
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