In which geological unit were the remains defining *Xenotarsosaurus* unearthed?
Answer
Bajo Barreal Formation
The physical evidence defining *Xenotarsosaurus* was discovered in a specific geological context that helps place the animal within a precise time frame in South America. The remains were excavated in the Chubut Province of Argentina, specifically associated with the Bajo Barreal Formation. This geological unit dates to the Late Cretaceous epoch, meaning *Xenotarsosaurus* lived relatively close to the end of the Mesozoic Era before the mass extinction event that concluded the age of dinosaurs. Identifying the geological formation is vital for correlating the predator's existence with the specific environment, flora, and prey base available in ancient Chubut.
Related Questions
What does the genus name *Xenotarsosaurus* translate to?In which geological unit were the remains defining *Xenotarsosaurus* unearthed?Which dinosaur family does *Xenotarsosaurus* firmly belong to?What evolutionary concept explains the apex predator role of Abelisaurids in isolated Gondwanan remnants?How do Abelisaurid skulls, including that of *Xenotarsosaurus*, generally compare to Tyrannosaurid skulls?Who is specifically honored by the specific epithet *bonapartei*?What unusual skeletal structure gave *Xenotarsosaurus* its descriptive genus name?What major geological event led to the geographic isolation favoring abelisaurid evolution?Compared to Tyrannosaurids, what characterizes the forelimbs of Abelisaurids like *Xenotarsosaurus*?What characteristic of the ancient Chubut environment might have influenced the specialized tarsus of *Xenotarsosaurus*?