Researchers from the University of Alberta have uncovered a fascinating discovery indicating that a raptor dinosaur may have preyed upon a larger tyrannosaur. The evidence was found in the form of bite marks on the jaw of an Albertosaurus, a relative of the Tyrannosaurus rex, known as its “teenage cousin,” which inhabited Alberta around 70 million years ago.
The fossil in question belonged to an eight-year-old Albertosaurus that had not yet reached full size. The presence of the bite marks prompted researchers to consider two possible scenarios regarding the fate of the dinosaur after its demise near Drumheller, Alberta. The prevailing theory suggests that a raptor, a smaller carnivorous dinosaur, scavenged on the larger Albertosaurus after its death from unknown causes.
Philip Currie, a professor of dinosaur paleobiology at the University of Alberta, described the discovery as significant, emphasizing that Albertosaurus was a dominant predator during its era. This finding could shed light on the interactions between carnivorous dinosaurs and the complexity of ancient food chains.
The research, led by Joshua Doyon, a master’s student in paleontology at the University of Alberta, involved analyzing the spacing of the bite marks and comparing them with the teeth of contemporaneous carnivorous dinosaurs. This analysis pointed to a raptor as the probable culprit. Alternatively, it was suggested that the Albertosaurus could have been cannibalized by a much younger member of its own species.
The fossil containing the bite marks was unearthed in 2022 by a member of the public exploring the badlands north of Drumheller. Following its discovery, the specimen was reported to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, leading to Doyon’s research project in 2023. The tooth marks observed during the fossil preparation process sparked the investigation into ancient feeding interactions.
Doyon expressed his interest in studying dinosaur behavior and species interactions, highlighting the significance of examining minute details on fossils to glean insights into dinosaur biology. The findings may help researchers understand the feeding behaviors and ecological dynamics of prehistoric creatures, offering a glimpse into the ancient world of apex predators like the Albertosaurus and smaller carnivores such as raptors.
The discovery provides rare evidence of one carnivorous dinosaur preying on another, rather than on herbivorous creatures. Contrary to popular depictions in films like Jurassic Park, the raptors found in Alberta, specifically the Atrociraptor, were much smaller than their cinematic counterparts. Doyon hopes that future discoveries of dinosaur fossils will pay closer attention to subtle tooth marks that could reveal more about ancient predator-prey relationships.