New Giant Dinosaur Discovery: American and Argentinean Researchers Sheds Light About Their Tiny Arms

A new dinosaur species was discovered by American and Argentinean researchers in a new study that would further explain the evolution and anatomy of massive carnivorous dinosaurs. The new giant dinosaur is called Meraxes gigas which resemble a physical feature of a large body with tiny arms similar to the Tyrannosaurus Rex and Carcharodontosaurus.

The tiny arms amongst some of the prehistoric world's largest predators have long been thought to be a product of basic evolution. Previous studies and reports indicate said body part may not have been used quite often for millions of years, leading to the shrinking of its size.

Serving no deemed purpose, paleontologists and other scientists alike have long attempted to decipher the origins and function of the small arms of the dinosaur apex predator T. Rex. This has been the case since the fossils of the said dinosaur species was first unearthed by American paleontologist and dinosaur hunter Barnum Brown in 1904.

Currently, the M. gigas giant dinosaur has been a rising contender but not in terms of their physical prowess with helping scientists to gain answer to some of the greatest mysteries of the dinosaur world, which ended after the impact of the planet-killing Chicxulub asteroid 65 million years ago.

Meraxes Gigas Dinosaur Species

(Photo : Photo by Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz via Pexels)

In a news release on Thursday, July 7, the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities announced its new study, which it spearheaded along with Argentinean scientists, published in the journal Current Biology. The announcement came after the scientific team extracted and prepared M. gigas to the world, a decade later after they have initially discovered its fossilized remains in Patagonia in 2012.

The colossal dinosaur belongs to the family Carcharodontosauridate, a group of meat-eating therapods which includes the dinosaur species Giganotosaurus, which is one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs and the dinosaur star of the "Jurassic World: Dominion" (2022) movie.

At its peak, Meraxes is estimated to have grown around 36 feet tall and weigh around 9,000 pounds. This was based on the fossil data gathered by the team from rocks dating back to 90 to 95 million years old. Other dinosaur specimen, including from long-necked sauropod specimens, were found from the site.

Also Read: Ancient Rats May Have Eaten Dinosaurs, Scientists Say

Therapod Arm Reduction

The said study focused on the research title about the new giant carnivorous dinosaur and what it reveals about the 'convergent evolutionary trends' when it comes to therapod arm reduction, as also mentioned by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Peter Makovicky, one of the study's principal authors, had addressed the long-speculated role of the dinosaurs' small arms. Meanwhile, Sebastian Apesteguia, the study's co-author, said the discovery gave them an opportunity to learn more about the paleobiology, systematics, and true size of the giant reptiles, as cited by the AAAS.

Makovicky said one should not burden himself or herself about what the arms are used for since they are a consequence or result of the extreme enlargement of the skulls of the dinosaurs, like of those belonging to the T. Rexas, M. gigas, and Carcharodontosaurus.