| Nanotyrannus | |
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Kingdom: |
Animalia |
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Phylum: |
Chordata |
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Class: |
Reptilia |
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Superorder: |
Dinosauria |
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Order: |
Suarischia |
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Suborder: |
Theropoda |
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Superfamily: |
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Family: |
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Genus: |
†Nanotyranus |
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Species: |
†N. lancesis (type) |
Nanotyrannus was a genus of small tyrannosaurid from the family Tyrannosauridae. It may be a juvenile Tyrannosaurus.
Description[]
This genus is known from only a single skull and mandible from Montana as well three teeth from South Dakota. Described by Charles W. Gilmore in 1946, it was originally coined Gorgosaurus lancesis. However, it was recently re-described. Initial research indicated that the several bones in the skull were fuzed, indicating that it was an adult specimen. At only 5.2 meters (17 feet), this new genus was coined Nanotyrannus, meaning "small tyrant."
New Genus or Junior Synonym?[]
Many scientists believe Nanotyrannus to be a adolescent Tyrannosaurus, however, there are some key differences that may make it a valid genus. First, Nanotyrannus had a different shaped skull. Secondly, Nanotyrannus had serrated teeth, better for slicing flesh as a pose to Tyrannosaurus bone crunching teeth. Additionally, Nanotyrannus had more teeth than an adolescent Tyrannosaurus suggesting that this was in fact, an adult dinosaur.
In Popular Culture[]
Nanotyrannus used to be generally unknown to the public, other than the fierce debates whether this was a
nanotyrannus as potrayed in Jurassic Fight Club.
juvenile t-rex or its own species. However, it was popularized due to the documentary, Jurassic Fight Club. In the episode, "T-Rex Hunter", one attacks two baby tyrannosaurs. It kills one and is about to kill the other but then the mother arrives from her hunt, and seeing that the intruder killed one of her babies and is about to kill the other, she roars furiously and shields the baby and kills the intruding Nanotyrannus. She then rips of the head and uses the body as a signal to drive of other predators.