"New Mexico Discovery: T. rex's Larger Predecessor Unearthed"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by CNN
A newly identified relative of the Tyrannosaurus rex, named Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis, has been discovered in New Mexico, dating back 72-73 million years. The creature, which predates T. rex by up to 7 million years, differs in jaw robustness and the absence of a prominent ridge over its eyes. The findings suggest that massive tyrannosaurs likely emerged as an evolutionary adaptation to the availability of large herbivores, but the reasons for the evolution of giant plant-eating dinosaurs remain a mystery. The research team plans to return to the site to search for more bones and understand the environment in which T. mcraeensis lived.