A newly discovered dinosaur species, unearthed from a Mongolian museum collection, is reshaping our understanding of tyrannosaur evolution, according to scientists.

Analysis of two 86-million-year-old skeletons revealed a species identified as the closest known ancestor to all tyrannosaurs, a predatory group culminating in the iconic *T. rex*.

The species, named *Khankhuuluu mongoliensis* (meaning “Dragon Prince of Mongolia”), is detailed in a Nature publication, offering insights into the tyrannosaur lineage’s transformation into apex predators dominating late Cretaceous North America and Asia.

“‘Prince’ denotes its early, smaller tyrannosauroid status,” explains Prof. Darla Zelenitsky, a University of Calgary paleontologist. Tyrannosauroids constitute the superfamily of bipedal carnivorous dinosaurs.

Early tyrannosauroids were diminutive.

PhD student Jared Voris, lead researcher with Prof. Zelenitsky, notes: “They were small, agile predators inhabiting the ecological shadows of other apex predators.”

*Khankhuuluu* represents a pivotal evolutionary stage, bridging the gap between Jurassic-era smaller hunters and the formidable giants like *T. rex*. While an adult *T. rex* weighed up to eight times more, *Khankhuuluu* likely weighed approximately 750kg, signifying a transitional fossil, according to Prof. Zelenitsky.

“This discovery revises the tyrannosaur family tree and rewrites our understanding of tyrannosaur evolution,” she adds.

The species also exhibits nascent features crucial to tyrannosaur dominance, including skull anatomy conducive to a powerful bite. “Nasal bone features foreshadowed the immense bite force of later tyrannosaurs,” explains Voris.

This powerful bite enabled *T. rex* to subdue larger prey and even crush bone.

The two partial skeletons examined were initially discovered in Mongolia during the early 1970s and initially classified as *Alectrosaurus*. Voris’s re-examination revealed distinct tyrannosaur features, prompting the reclassification.

“I recall his text – he believed it was a new species,” recounts Prof. Zelenitsky.

Transcontinental movement between North America and Asia, facilitated by land bridges connecting Siberia and Alaska, contributed to tyrannosaur diversification and niche occupation.

Voris explains: “That intercontinental movement drove the evolution of distinct tyrannosaur groups” over millions of years.

Prof. Zelenitsky concludes: “This discovery reveals that before tyrannosaurs reigned supreme, they were princes.”

The dinosaur has never been recreated to this accuracy before.

The Long Dead Stars have created a concept album reflecting on North Yorkshire’s geology and fossils.

The zoo says the puppets will “inspire” guests to think about their impact on the natural world.

The seven-metre tall sauropod sculpture – named Boom Boom – has divided local opinion.

A newly discovered dinosaur species, unearthed within a Mongolian museum’s collection, is reshaping our understanding of tyrannosaur evolutionary history, scientists report.

Analysis of two 86-million-year-old skeletons revealed a species identified as the closest known ancestor to all tyrannosaurs, the predatory group encompassing the iconic *T. rex*.

The species, named *Khankhuuluu mongoliensis* (meaning “Dragon Prince of Mongolia”), offers insights into the tyrannosaur lineage’s evolution into apex predators that dominated North America and Asia until the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event.

This discovery, published in *Nature*, sheds light on the transformative journey of tyrannosaurs.

“‘Prince’ signifies its status as an early, smaller tyrannosauroid,” explains Professor Darla Zelenitsky, a paleontologist from the University of Calgary. Tyrannosauroids constitute the superfamily of bipedal carnivorous dinosaurs.

Early tyrannosauroids were diminutive.

PhD student Jared Voris, lead researcher alongside Professor Zelenitsky, notes, “They were small, agile predators living in the shadow of other apex predators.”

*Khankhuuluu* marks a pivotal evolutionary shift from these smaller Jurassic hunters to the formidable giants, including *T. rex*. Weighing approximately 750kg, it represents a transitional fossil between earlier ancestors and the massive tyrannosaurs, Professor Zelenitsky clarifies.

This finding “has revised the tyrannosaur family tree and rewritten our knowledge of tyrannosaur evolution,” she adds.

The species displays nascent features crucial to tyrannosaur dominance, including skull anatomy contributing to a powerful jaw. “Its nasal bone exhibits features that ultimately enabled tyrannosaurs’ incredibly strong bite force,” Voris explains.

These powerful jaws allowed *T. rex* to prey on larger animals and even crush bone.

The two partial skeletons analyzed were discovered in Mongolia in the early 1970s, initially classified as *Alectrosaurus*. Voris’s re-examination revealed tyrannosaur-like characteristics distinguishing it as a new species.

“I recall his text—he believed it was a new species,” Professor Zelenitsky recounts.

Transcontinental migration between North America and Asia, facilitated by land bridges connecting Siberia and Alaska, contributed to the diversification of tyrannosaur groups.

Voris explains: “This intercontinental movement spurred the evolution of diverse tyrannosaur groups” over millions of years.

Professor Zelenitsky concludes: “This discovery demonstrates that before tyrannosaurs reigned supreme, they were princes.”

The dinosaur has never been recreated to this accuracy before.

The Long Dead Stars have created a concept album reflecting on North Yorkshire’s geology and fossils.

The zoo says the puppets will “inspire” guests to think about their impact on the natural world.

The seven-metre tall sauropod sculpture – named Boom Boom – has divided local opinion.

A newly discovered dinosaur species, unearthed within a Mongolian museum’s collection, is reshaping our understanding of tyrannosaur evolutionary history, according to scientists.

Analysis of two 86-million-year-old skeletons revealed a species identified as the closest known ancestor to all tyrannosaurs, the predatory group encompassing the iconic T. rex.

The species, named Khankhuuluu mongoliensis (meaning “Dragon Prince of Mongolia”), is detailed in a recent Nature publication. This discovery offers insights into the tyrannosaur evolutionary trajectory, culminating in the apex predators that dominated North America and Asia until the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event.

Professor Darla Zelenitsky, a paleontologist from the University of Calgary, explains the name: “‘Prince’ denotes its status as an early, smaller tyrannosauroid,” referring to the bipedal carnivorous dinosaur superfamily.

Initial tyrannosauroids were diminutive, as PhD student Jared Voris, lead researcher alongside Prof. Zelenitsky, notes: “They were small, agile predators inhabiting the ecological niches alongside other apex predators.”

Khankhuuluu represents a pivotal evolutionary step, bridging the gap between these Jurassic-era hunters and the formidable giants like T. rex. While weighing approximately 750kg, it’s a significant intermediary fossil, according to Prof. Zelenitsky, “transitioning between earlier ancestors and the mighty tyrannosaurs,” an adult T.rex weighing up to eight times more.

The discovery “has revised the tyrannosaur family tree and rewritten our understanding of tyrannosaur evolution,” she adds. Key features foreshadowing tyrannosaur dominance, such as skull anatomy conducive to powerful jaws, are evident in Khankhuuluu. Voris explains: “Nasal bone features prefigure the powerful bite forces of later tyrannosaurs.”

This enhanced bite force enabled T. rex to prey on larger animals and even crush bone. The two partial skeletons examined were initially classified as Alectrosaurus after their 1970s discovery in Mongolia. However, Voris’s reevaluation revealed distinct tyrannosaur characteristics, prompting Prof. Zelenitsky to recall: “I received a text from him indicating he believed it was a new species.”

Transcontinental migration between North America and Asia, facilitated by land bridges connecting Siberia and Alaska, played a crucial role in tyrannosaur evolution. Voris explains: “This intercontinental movement spurred the evolution of different tyrannosaur groups” over millions of years. Prof. Zelenitsky summarizes: “This discovery shows that before tyrannosaurs reigned as kings, they were princes.”

The dinosaur has never been recreated to this accuracy before.

The Long Dead Stars have created a concept album reflecting on North Yorkshire’s geology and fossils.

The zoo says the puppets will “inspire” guests to think about their impact on the natural world.

The seven-metre tall sauropod sculpture – named Boom Boom – has divided local opinion.