A completely new dinosaur species named Meraxes gigas, weighing over 4 tons, has been revealed in the Huincul Formation at Las Campanas Canyon, Neuquén Province, Argentina.
A multinational research team led by Dr. Juan Canale from the Ernesto Bachmann Museum of Paleontology and the National University of Río Negro (Argentina) reported that based on a nearly complete skull and part of the skeleton, they have identified this new dinosaur as belonging to the family Carcharodontosauridae, part of the group of “theropod dinosaurs.”
According to Sci-News, Meraxes gigas bears a striking resemblance to the T. rex, the most famous member of the theropod group, featuring strong hind limbs, small forelimbs, and a large head adorned with fearsome teeth.
Dinosaur Meraxes gigas – (Graphic by Carlos Papolio, research team member)
Radiometric dating results indicate that it is 94 million years old, existing during the Late Cretaceous period. This dinosaur was massive, measuring 11 meters in length and weighing 4 tons when alive, making it a formidable carnivore.
According to Dr. Canale, the species’ small “arms” may serve as tools to assist in reproductive behavior, such as embracing females during mating and helping them get up when they fall.
The skeleton of Meraxes gigas is one of the most complete Carcharodontosauridae specimens ever discovered in the Southern Hemisphere.
“Interestingly, they have a body plan similar to tyrannosaur dinosaurs like T. rex. However, they are not particularly related to T. rex. They come from very different branches of the theropod dinosaur family tree,” said Professor Peter Makovicky from the University of Minnesota (USA), a member of the research team.
This is one of three carnivorous theropod species that have developed with similar body structures, suggesting that this shape may confer special advantages—including the peculiar small “arms” that have sparked heated debates among scientists.
This fossil represents a significant discovery in paleontology, as the Carcharodontosauridae family has intrigued researchers due to previous evidence suggesting that these species evolved rapidly and then abruptly disappeared from the fossil record.
