What predatory niche did *Xiongguanlong* occupy relative to other contemporary Jurassic predators?
Answer
A middle ground in the food web, not the top predator
*Xiongguanlong* existed during a time when the specialized, hypercarnivorous top predator role, later monopolized by massive tyrannosaurs, was not yet established. Given its relatively small size of about 1.7 meters, it occupied a middle ground within the predator guild of the Jurassic food web present in the Yixian Formation ecosystem. Its survival likely depended on specialized hunting skills, such as speed and agility favored by its small stature, allowing it to effectively hunt smaller, faster-moving fauna like early mammals or lizards, rather than engaging in heavy grappling contests with the largest contemporary herbivores.
Related Questions
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