AI Insight
Researchers from the American Museum of Natural History, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and Southern Methodist University have identified a new species of mosasaur, a large marine reptile from the Late Cretaceous period. Named Tylosaurus rex, the species is estimated to have reached up to 43 feet in length, making it one of the largest known mosasaurs. The description is based on fossils approximately 80 million years old, recovered primarily from northern Texas and studied decades after their initial discovery.
Why it matters
This discovery expands our understanding of apex predator diversity and ecological dynamics in ancient marine environments during the age of dinosaurs. It also demonstrates the continued scientific value of reexamining legacy fossil collections held in natural history institutions.
There’s a new T. rex in the fossil record, only this one terrorized the ancient seas. New research led by scientists at the American Museum of Natural History, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, and Southern Methodist University uncovers a new, massive species of mosasaur, a marine reptile that lived during the age of the dinosaurs. One of the largest mosasaurs known to date—stretching up to 43 feet long—this top predator was described from 80-million-year-old fossils that were found primarily in northern Texas decades ago. It was named Tylosaurus rex, or T. rex for short, meaning “king of the tylosaurs.”
Source: Ancient seas get a new T. rex as massive mosasaur emerges from Texas fossils