How does the timing of Xiongguanlong compare to the evolution of Tyrannosaurus rex?
Answer
It is situated hundreds of thousands of years before T. rex evolved
The geological dating of Xiongguanlong places it firmly in the Late Jurassic period. This timing is highly significant as it demonstrates that the tyrannosauroid lineage was already diversifying in Asia a substantial amount of time before the evolution of much later, more famous giants like Tyrannosaurus rex, which are characteristic of the Late Cretaceous period. This evolutionary separation emphasizes Xiongguanlong's role as an early, basal member of the family tree, filling in evolutionary gaps before apex tyrannosaurs arose.
Related Questions
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