A newly identified dinosaur species discovered in a Mongolian museum collection is reshaping scientists’ understanding of how Tyrannosaurus rex and its relatives evolved. Named Khankhuuluu mongoliensis—meaning "Dragon Prince of Mongolia"—the species represents the closest-known ancestor of tyrannosaurs, according to a study published in Nature.
Based on two partial skeletons dating back 86 million years, the find reveals a key evolutionary transition from small, agile hunters to the massive apex predators like T. rex. Researchers at the University of Calgary identified the species after reexamining fossils that were originally unearthed in the 1970s but misclassified.
"This is a transitional species that shows how tyrannosaurs evolved from lightweight predators into giants," said Prof. Darla Zelenitsky, a paleontologist and co-author of the study. Khankhuuluu, weighing about 750 kilograms, was a fraction the size of an adult T. rex but already displayed critical traits—particularly in its jaw structure—that would later define the group’s dominance.
Lead researcher Jared Voris explained that early tyrannosauroids were small and fast, living in the shadow of larger predators. But Khankhuuluu had skull and nasal features that indicate the development of stronger bite forces, paving the way for tyrannosaurs’ deadly efficiency.
Importantly, the study also suggests that these dinosaurs migrated between Asia and North America over millions of years via ancient land bridges, which contributed to the diversification of tyrannosaur species across continents.
"This discovery helps us fill a major gap in the tyrannosaur family tree," said Zelenitsky. "It shows that before they were kings, tyrannosaurs were evolutionary princes adapting to their environment."
The find is not just a milestone in dinosaur taxonomy—it also demonstrates the value of reanalyzing existing fossil collections with modern techniques to uncover new scientific insights.
Source: CNN
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