A new study led by the dino consultant on ‘Jurassic Park’ may rule out previous explanations for skeletal differences.
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00:00One of the most fearsome predators to walk the earth, Tyrannosaurus rex, needs no introduction.
00:11But on closer examination of the bones, researchers now believe the iconic dino is actually three
00:16different species.
00:18The theory may explain variations across femur bones in specimens that have been found, which
00:23scientists previously chalked up to sex or age differences.
00:27A team of paleontologists led by Gregory Paul, the dinosaur specialist on Jurassic Park,
00:33compared femur bones in 24 Tyrannosaurus skeletons found in North America.
00:38Based on the degree of robustness, or relative strength of the bone, there seemed to be no
00:43connection to specimen size, age or gender.
00:47Furthermore, the distribution of robust and grassal bones across three geological layers
00:52of sediment suggests that as time passed, Tyrannosaurus diverged into three distinct
00:57species.
00:59As Paul writes,
01:00We propose that the changes in femur may have evolved over time, from a common ancestor
01:05who displayed more robust femurs, to become more grassal in later species.
01:11Based on the findings published in Evolutionary Biology, the team has nominated two new potential
01:16T. imperator, otherwise known as Tyrant Lizard Emperor, and T. regina, Tyrant Lizard Queen.