Where does the estimated size of *Xiongguanlong* (170 to 300 kg) place it evolutionarily?
Answer
Comfortably between the smaller, Barremian-era tyrannosauroids and the imposing Late Cretaceous forms.
The physical dimensions of *Xiongguanlong*, estimated at 4 to 5 meters in length and weighing between 170 to 300 kilograms, highlight its role as an intermediate form. This medium size places it perfectly along the morphological spectrum of tyrannosauroid evolution. It was significantly larger than the earliest, smaller tyrannosauroids dating to the Barremian era but remained substantially smaller and lighter than the colossal apex predators that dominated the ecosystem near the end of the Cretaceous period, such as *Tyrannosaurus*.
Related Questions
What geographical feature inspired the specific epithet *baimoensis* of *Xiongguanlong*?To which geological period do the sediments containing *Xiongguanlong* date?How does the skull morphology of *Xiongguanlong* contrast with derived Late Cretaceous tyrannosaurids?What unusual characteristic is noted regarding the premaxillary teeth of *Xiongguanlong*?In terms of evolutionary placement, what is *Xiongguanlong* recognized as within Tyrannosauroidea?What specific major jaw component was notably lacking from the holotype specimen of *Xiongguanlong*?Where does the estimated size of *Xiongguanlong* (170 to 300 kg) place it evolutionarily?What feature was noted about the vertebrae of *Xiongguanlong* compared to other basal tyrannosauroids?What does the geological setting of *Xiongguanlong* in Early Cretaceous Gansu suggest about tyrannosauroid evolution?Which contemporary genus shares a muzzle morphology reminiscent of *Xiongguanlong*'s long skull?