Two exceptionally preserved juvenile specimens of Gorgosaurus libratus (Tyrannosauridae, Albertosaurinae) provide new insight into the timing of ontogenetic changes in tyrannosaurids

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dc.contributor.authorVoris, Jared. T.
dc.contributor.authorZelenitsky, Darla K.
dc.contributor.authorTherrien, Francois
dc.contributor.authorRidgely, Ryan C.
dc.contributor.authorCurrie, Philip J.
dc.contributor.authorWitmer, Lawrence, M.
dc.date.accessioned2023-11-01T20:17:21Z
dc.date.available2023-11-01T20:17:21Z
dc.date.issued2022-04-13
dc.description.abstractKnown from dozens of specimens discovered since the early 20th century, Gorgosaurus libratus has arguably contributed more than any other taxon to our understanding of the life history of tyrannosaurids. However, juvenile material for this taxon is rare. Here, we describe two small, articulated Gorgosaurus specimens (skull lengths of ca. 500 mm) that help advance our knowledge of the anatomy and ontogeny of this taxon and of tyrannosaurids in general. The new specimens exhibit hallmark juvenile tyrannosaurid features, including long, low, and narrow skulls, large circular orbits, absent or incipient cranial ornamentation, ziphodont dentition, and an overall gracile skull frame. Comparison with other Gorgosaurus specimens of various ontogenetic stages allows for an examination of the timing of morphological changes that occurred through ontogeny in this taxon relative to other tyrannosaurids. Of particular note, Gorgosaurus and the larger Tyrannosaurus rex are found to have experienced similar ontogenetic transformations at similar percent skull length relative to the large known individuals for each respective taxon but at different absolute body sizes and biological ages, occurring at a larger size and older age in Tyrannosaurus than in Gorgosaurus. These results suggest a dissociation between the timing of cranial development and body size in tyrannosaurids. Finally, the recognition of ontogenetically invariant characters in Gorgosaurus makes it possible to determine the taxonomic identity of previously misidentified specimens.
dc.description.grantingagencyNatural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
dc.identifier.citationVoris, J. T., Zelenitsky, D. K., Therrien, F., Ridgely, R. C., Currie, P. J., & Witmer, L. M. (2022). Two exceptionally preserved juvenile specimens of Gorgosaurus libratus (Tyrannosauridae, Albertosaurinae) provide new insight into the timing of ontogenetic changes in tyrannosaurids. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 41(6). https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2021.2041651
dc.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2021.2041651
dc.identifier.grantnumberRGPIN/04854
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1880/117371
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/42214
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherJournal of Vertebrate Paleontology (Taylor and Francis)
dc.publisher.facultyScienceen
dc.publisher.hasversionacceptedVersion
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.publisher.policyhttps://authorservices.taylorandfrancis.com/choose-open/publishing-open-access/open-access-cost-finder/?category=all&journal=ujvp&fulloa=1&openselect=1&notavailable=1&dove=1&routledge=1&tandf=1&numberofresultsperpage=5&pagenumber=1
dc.rightsUnless otherwise indicated, this material is protected by copyright and has been made available with authorization from the copyright owner. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.en
dc.titleTwo exceptionally preserved juvenile specimens of Gorgosaurus libratus (Tyrannosauridae, Albertosaurinae) provide new insight into the timing of ontogenetic changes in tyrannosaurids
dc.typeArticle
ucalgary.scholar.levelGraduate, Faculty, Researcher
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