[D] Shanshanosaurus houyanshanensis [Su] [sG] [T]
Describer
Dong, 1977
Time
Cretaceous Late Maastrichtian
Classification
Saurischia Theropoda Tyrannosauria Tyrannosauridae Aublysodontinae
Diet
Carnivore
Fossilsite
Subashi Formation, Shanshan zhan, Turpan Basin, northwestern China, and the Shanshan Group of deposits, Xinjiang Uygur Ziziqu, China
Length
2,3 meter
Info
Genus - Typespecies - Skull
Holotype
IVPP V4878, partial skull and associated postcranial skeleton.
Restudy and description of the only known specimen reveal that it is not a small species, but is a juvenile tyrannosaurine, possibly Tarbosaurus. Currie, P.J. and Dong Z. (2001)
With a total estimated length of 2.3 m, it is the smallest tyrannosaurid skeleton known. Shanshanosaurus provides the best information available on ontogenetic changes in these enormous carnivores and reveals that young tyrannosaurids had long, low skulls, huge pubic boots, and well-developed limb joints. Evidence suggesting that young tyrannosaurs had relatively longer forelimbs than the adults is not supported by Shanshanosaurus. Shows a narrow scapula, with an abrupt glenoid expansion, and a deep surangular.