What evolutionary advantage might *Dreadnoughtus*'s massive size have conferred in its ecosystem?
Answer
Defense against large predatory theropods
The massive size, reaching 65 tons, likely served as an evolutionary defense mechanism, offering impregnability against large predators such as abelisaurids that shared its Late Cretaceous habitat.
Related Questions
What does the name *Dreadnoughtus* roughly translate to?What was the initial estimated weight of *Dreadnoughtus* in metric tons?Approximately what percentage of the *Dreadnoughtus* skeleton was recovered?To which specific clade within the sauropods did *Dreadnoughtus* belong?In which geographical region were the remains of *Dreadnoughtus schrani* discovered?Who was the species name, *D. schrani*, chosen to honor?Which major parts of the *Dreadnoughtus* skeleton were notably absent from the recovered material?How many times heavier did *Dreadnoughtus* weigh compared to a modern adult African Bush Elephant (averaging around 6 tons)?What distinguishes the confidence level of *Dreadnoughtus*'s weight estimate compared to more fragmentary giants?What feature of the recovered limb bones is direct evidence of the immense compressive forces *Dreadnoughtus* legs had to withstand?What evolutionary advantage might *Dreadnoughtus*'s massive size have conferred in its ecosystem?