Re: Nemegtian Tyrannosaurs

[Darryl Jones <dinoguy@sympatico.ca>]

At 09:23 PM 5/23/2003, Dinogeorge@aol.com wrote:
> So why doesn't this same bias affect Tyrannosaurus rex?
>
> I think this is just handwaving.

I would argue from the other direction.  Many of the large theropods found 
are said to be juveniles (Sinraptor, Yangchuanosaurus, Suchomimus, most 
specimens of Allosaurus, Gorgosaurus, Albertosaurus).  I think it might be 
a weird preservational thing with Tyrannosaurus that is causing us to find 
more adult T. rex specimens (although a few juvies have been found and are 
now being recognised as such).  I think that it is altogether possible that 
with most theropods, death came young.  Few animals would have lived to a 
maximum size (if such a thing existed).  Most crocs don't hit their maximum 
size.  We find a lot of 3m alligators, some at 4m, precious few 5m, and 
have historical records of 6m+ gators (please don't write to tell me about 
your pet alligator that is 6.3m long, I am using the numbers more to 
illustrate rather than to proclaim my expertise on alligators).  I think 
the same thing could be said for tyrannosaurs.  Maybe the holotype of 
Tyrannosaurus bataar was the biggest one that ever lived.  Maybe there was 
a T. rex out there that was 17m and we haven't found it yet, because that 
is too rare a find/didn't preserve.


Darryl Jones  <dinoguy@sympatico.ca>

For information on tyrannosaurids and
cool activities and information for kids,
visit my webpage at:

http://www3.sympatico.ca/dinoguy/