Are The Megaraptoras Tyrannosaurs?

Rex Fan 684Member

Dec 8, 2013

Rank: CompsognathusXP: 01,967 Views

While researching large theropods, I came across an interesting article. It stated that the group of dinosaurs(the Megaraptora) are actually basal tyrannosaurs. Here's the link...

http://www.ameghiniana.org.ar/index.php/ameghiniana/article/view/868/1618

(I'll admit it didn't load very well for me, might just be my computer, and it may need translated, it's in Spanish).

If this is true, then it would extend the tyrannosaurian range farhter south than originally thought, as far south as S. America and Australia. It would also place dinosaurs like Megaraptor, Australovenator, Fukuiraptor, Aerosteon, Rapator(?), and Orkoraptor(?) under the tyrannosaur family tree. This may help explain why Dryptosaurus was a tyrannosaur, yet it had long arms with 8 inch claws. This find would also show the tyrannosaurs were apex predators in many areas where they were once thought to be minor predators/not there at all. The more I read about it, the more it makes sense. What about you guys?

Australovenator

Dryptosaurus