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New Tyrannosaur Species Discovered in Mexico
Newly discovered tyrannosaur species, *Labocania aguillonae*, found in Mexico challenges previous understanding of North American dinosaur diversity.
Spanish
Germany
Latin AmericaResearchPaleontologyDiscoveryDinosaursSpecies
Museo Del DesiertoUniversity Of BathMdpi
Martha Carolina AguillónHéctor RiveraNick Longrich
- What is *Labocania aguillonae*, and when did it live?
- The newly discovered species, *Labocania aguillonae*, is a tyrannosaur that lived in what is now Coahuila, Mexico, approximately 72.5 million years ago during the Campanian age of the Cretaceous period.
- Where was the research on *Labocania aguillonae* published, and which institutions were involved?
- The research on *Labocania aguillonae* was published in September in the journal MDPI Fossil Studies and involved a team of researchers from the Museo del Desierto and the University of Bath.
- What does the discovery of *Labocania aguillonae* suggest about tyrannosaur diversity in North America?
- The discovery of *Labocania aguillonae* suggests a greater diversity of tyrannosaur species in the southern part of North America than previously understood, contrasting with the species known from more northern regions like Canada and the United States.
- Where were the fossils of *Labocania aguillonae* found, and how long were they in storage before being studied?
- The fossils of *Labocania aguillonae* were initially discovered in 2000 but remained in storage at the Museo del Desierto in Saltillo, Mexico for over two decades before being identified as a new species.
- What are some physical characteristics of *Labocania aguillonae*, and how do they differ from the *Tyrannosaurus rex*?
- *Labocania aguillonae* was a relatively lightly built tyrannosaur, possessing long legs suggesting speed and large eyes, potentially for hunting in low-light conditions. Unlike the *Tyrannosaurus rex*, its skull was shorter and broader.