Researchers from the University of Alberta have uncovered a startling revelation that suggests a raptor dinosaur may have preyed on a larger tyrannosaur. The discovery was made based on bite marks found on the jaw of an Albertosaurus, a close relative of the famous Tyrannosaurus rex, known as its “teenage cousin,” which inhabited Alberta around 70 million years ago.
The fossil belonged to an eight-year-old Albertosaurus that had not yet reached full size. The presence of bite marks prompted researchers to consider two possible scenarios regarding the fate of the dinosaur after its death near Drumheller, Alberta. The prevailing theory suggests that a smaller, two-legged carnivorous dinosaur, likely a raptor, consumed the larger Albertosaurus after its demise from unknown causes.
Philip Currie, a professor of dinosaur paleobiology at the University of Alberta, described the finding as a significant event, noting that the Albertosaurus was a dominant predator during its time. This discovery offers valuable insights into the interactions and complexities of the prehistoric food chain among carnivorous dinosaurs.
The research, led by Joshua Doyon, a master’s student in paleontology at the University of Alberta, involved analyzing the spacing between the bite marks and comparing them with the teeth of other carnivorous dinosaurs contemporaneously. The results pointed towards a raptor as the probable culprit. Alternatively, there is a hypothesis suggesting that the Albertosaurus was cannibalized by a much younger member of its own species, approximately two years old and two meters in length.
The fossil was initially discovered in 2022 by a member of the public exploring the badlands north of Drumheller. Subsequently reported to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, the specimen was meticulously prepared, leading to the identification of the tooth marks that sparked Doyon’s research project in 2023.
Doyon’s interest in studying dinosaur behavior and species interactions prompted him to delve into the feeding dynamics of ancient creatures using this specimen. Currie emphasized the significance of examining fossil details, such as tooth marks, to gain insights into dinosaur biology and ecological relationships in prehistoric times.
The finding sheds light on the apex predator role of the Albertosaurus within its ecosystem, contrasting with the significantly smaller suspected raptor, likened in size to a German shepherd. This rare evidence of one carnivorous dinosaur preying upon another, rather than herbivorous animals, provides a unique perspective on dinosaur feeding habits.
The term “raptor” may evoke images from the “Jurassic Park” films, but the raptors in Alberta, specifically the dromaeosaurs like Atrociraptor, were much smaller than their cinematic counterparts. Doyon hopes that future discoveries of dinosaur bones, by both paleontologists and the public, will pay closer attention to subtle tooth marks that could reveal intriguing insights into ancient predator-prey relationships.
