Around 80 million years ago, when the world was mostly split into two, scientists believe that the Tyrannosaurus was the Apex predator in the Northern hemisphere. In the southern continents however, it appears that there were another beast who may have been king.
In a new study, published 31st March 2021, within a peer-reviewed journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, findings of a new dinosaur were revealed.
The ‘Llukalkan’ which translates to ‘One who incites fear’ in the language of the indigenous Mapuche people is also known as Aliocranianus (or different skull, in Latin). It is believed that the dinosaur was one of the top predators around the southern hemisphere due to irs immense size of around 5 metres long, it’s powerful bite and keen sense of smell.
The Llukalkan was a part of the Abelisaurid family, the same as the Tyrannosaurus. They are believed to have had better hearing though, due to the shape of their skull (Which is strangely short with rough bones).
The bones were found in what is now Argentina, and could be dated back to somewhere between 100 – 66 million years ago (Around the same time as the T- Rex).
At this size, with huge back legs and superior hearing, it is likely that this new great beast was one of the top dogs across the southern hemisphere.
What an amazing discovery! The Llukalkan sounds terrifying, considering the sheer size and power of them. They would have be the size of large elephant is today which we believe really does match it’s name as ‘One who incites fear’!
Source: Taylor & Francis Group