Was Nanotyrannus Real? The Ongoing Debate about a Small Tyrannosaur
- 演化之聲
- Mar 14
- 5 min read
Nanotyrannus lancensis, named in 1988, is a tyrannosauroid that appears noticeably smaller than Tyrannosaurus. This size difference is the reason for the name “dwarf tyrant.” Its body length is estimated at slightly over five meters, with a body mass roughly between one and two tonnes.
Despite clear differences in size and certain anatomical details between Nanotyrannus and Tyrannosaurus, the debate over whether Nanotyrannus represents a valid taxon has never truly disappeared. The main reason for this controversy lies in the fact that fossils assigned to Nanotyrannus come from exactly the same formations and time period as Tyrannosaurus. Furthermore, every known specimen attributed to Nanotyrannus appears to represent a subadult individual. In contrast, specimens of juvenile or subadult Tyrannosaurus are relatively scarce.
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