What specific branch of the dinosaur family tree does Xiongguanlong belong to?
Answer
Basal Tyrannosauroid
Xiongguanlong is categorized as a basal tyrannosauroid. This designation signifies that it represents a much earlier and more primitive branch within the broader tyrannosauroid family tree, predating the development of the massive apex predators famous in later geological times. Understanding its position as a basal member frames its predatory role against smaller, faster contemporaries rather than against giants like T. rex, providing essential insight into the early stages of tyrannosaur evolution.
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