In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers at the University of Calgary uncovered a well-preserved stomach content of a Gorgosaurus libratus, a young tyrannosaur dinosaur dating back approximately 75 million years. The find challenges previous assumptions about the diet of juvenile tyrannosaurs and provides unique insights into their feeding behavior as they grew.
Unlike older tyrannosaurs, which were believed to primarily consume large herbivores, the juvenile Gorgosaurus libratus showcased a different dietary preference. The fossilized stomach contained hind legs of small bird-like dinosaurs, identified as Citipes. This suggests a significant shift in the species’ diet as it progressed from juvenile to adult stages.
The discovery marks the first time such well-preserved stomach contents have been found inside the skeleton of a large tyrannosaur species. The Gorgosaurus, weighing over 700 pounds at the time of its death (around 10% of the mass of an adult), likely perished between the ages of five and seven.
Museum staff initially identified toe bones in the stomach region, prompting further investigation. Upon removal of the surrounding rock, researchers revealed the complete hind legs of two baby dinosaurs, each under a year old. The presence of two sets of legs, consumed at different times based on varying levels of digestion, suggested a preference for the meatiest part of the body.
The study’s co-author, François Therrien, emphasized that the finding highlighted the evolutionary changes in tyrannosaurs during growth. As juveniles, with narrow skulls and blade-like teeth, they were better adapted to hunting small prey like Citipes. In contrast, as adults, with larger skulls and robust teeth, they could tackle much larger prey, including megaherbivore dinosaurs.
This discovery not only enhances our understanding of the dietary habits of juvenile and adult tyrannosaurs but also sheds light on the intricate changes in their feeding behavior during their growth phases. The study was published in the journal Science Advances.
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