Paleontologists have long considered
Tyrannosaurus rex
A North American reptile, however, research now suggests that the ancestor of the dinosaur king originated in the Far East.
The megatherium cousins probably moved across continents via land bridges over 70 million years ago – possibly as a way to escape the warmth, suggests this theory.
article
in the journal
Royal Society Open Science
The discovery could be contentious, as paleontologists have extensively disputed this topic.
T. rex’s
origins.
Finding
T. rex
‘s Origin
To gain insights into the mobility of Megaraptors, researchers developed mathematical models incorporating data from fossil ages, locations, the dinosaur family tree, and climatic conditions. Additionally, they addressed inconsistencies within the fossil records—critical since only a limited number of Megaraptor specimens have been found in Asia compared to approximately 30 discovered elsewhere.
T. rex
Fossils have been found in North America.
Our modeling indicates that the ‘ancestors’ of
T. rex
It likely arrived in North America from Asia by crossing the Bering Strait, which lies between present-day Siberia and Alaska,” stated Cassius Morrison, a graduate student at University College London and one of the authors of the study.
press release
“This aligns with previous studies which found that the
T. rex
was more closely linked to Asian relatives like the
Tarbosaurus
rather than their North American counterparts like
Daspletosaurus
.”
Read More:
Could the T. Rex Be Actually Three Different Species?
Dinosaur Migration
Researchers link dinosaur migrations to climate shifts. They propose that around 92 million years ago, when temperatures reached their peak, megaraptors began traveling extensively. These scientists theorize that these dinosaurs may have been more adapted to cooler environments, potentially due to feather coverings or possibly having warm-blooded physiology.
Nevertheless, this conclusion might not be widely endorsed. The origin of
T. rex
has occasionally sparked intense debates within paleontology. For example, a 2024 study suggested that
T. rex
relative
Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis,
which was discovered in New Mexico and preceded
T. rex
by 3 to 5 million years.
The researchers behind that study indicate those findings suggest an ancestral link to North America.
T. rex.
The writers of the recent article, however, have a different opinion, stating that the
T. mcraeensis
fossil was dated incorrectly.
Until additional megaraptor remains are found beyond North America,
T. rex’s
origin story may remain a mystery.
Read More:
The T. Rex Was More Like a Smart Crocodile, Instead of a Bright Baboon
Article Sources
Our writers at
Dailyexe
use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:
-
Royal Society Open Science.
Rise of the king: Gondwanan origins and evolution of megaraptoran dinosaurs
Before joining Discover Magazine, Paul Smaglik spent over 20 years as a science journalist, specializing in U.S. life science policy and global scientific career issues. He began his career in newspapers, but switched to scientific magazines. His work has appeared in publications including Science News, Science, Nature, and Scientific American.
