Debate settled: Teenage T. Rex skulls unearthed in 1942 belonged to a different dinosaur species
Tyrannosaurus rex (T-Rex)
The long-running debate of whether the dinosaur fossils first unearthed inMontana, US, in 1942, belonged to teenageTyrannosaurus Rexes or not has finally been settled. A new study published has concluded that the skulls belonged to a different species of dinosaur, not the T-Rexes.
The researchers at theMilner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath said the 66-million-year-old fossils are most likely from the Nanotyrannus. The findings were published in thejournal Fossil Studies.
"I didn't expect it to be quite so conclusive.If they were young T. Rex they should be growing like crazy, putting on hundreds of kilogrammes a year, but we're not seeing that," said Dr Nick Longrich associated with the study.
Based on the modelling data, scientists observed that the dinosaurs would have grown to amaximum size of around 900 to 1,500 kilogrammes and five metres which is only about 15 per cent the size of a full-grown, adult T. Rex.
"We tried modelling the data in a lot of different ways and we kept getting low growth rates. This is looking like the end for the hypothesis that these animals are young T. Rex," addedLongrich.
The research validates thatNanotyrannus is a separate species, one not closely related to Tyrannosaurus. TheNanotyrannus had longer arms, unlike the famously short-armed T. Rex.
)
Trump administration refunds $100 billion in tariffs after Supreme Court ruling
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
American blogger Perez Hilton, covered in blood, cuts himself during livestream, hospitalized after distressing incident
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Pradeep Rawat died at 74: Revisit the unforgettable roles that defined his career
)
'Affront to our sovereignty': Bangladesh slams India over Sheikh Hasina's Delhi press conference
)
Mark Zuckerberg apologises to Indian government over harmful content, platform errors amid PM video row
)
Sajeeb Wazed raises Indian security concerns, calls Bangladesh a 'failed state'
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Who is Shreya Kalra? Meet the social media star who lifted the Lock Upp 2 trophy
)
The genetic roots of Tamils: 75,000 DNA markers decoded in latest study of Sangam-era settlement
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why are iPhones so expensive compared to Android phones?
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
Did Trump's helicopter nearly collide with a passenger jet? US launches probe
)
'Dhoni Made Fleming Great': Panesar says ECB made the wrong choice for England Test coach
)
'Aimed at BJP, not students': Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge on 'lathi-charge' remarks amid police exam protest
)
Childhood home of Neil Armstrong up for sale | Gravitas
)
Ex top Pakistan official blames economic woes on China: Here's how CPEC became a failure
)
‘Pakistan called for ceasefire, we kept them waiting’: Ex-CDS Anil Chauhan recalls Operation Sindoor
)
Munir-protege Mohsin Naqvi’s claim of unearthing huge scam triggers tremors in Pakistan’s power corridors
)
Pentagon draws up new nuclear strategy in the event of war with Russia and China
)
What’s happening in Nepal? How did a local clash turn into communal violence? WION Decodes
)
Scientists find descendants of ancient sea creatures trapped under Antarctica's Blood Falls
)
Trump goes 'bing bing bing' 11 times within 5 seconds at Iran war briefing
)
Strait of Hormuz deal with Oman being ‘finalised’: Iran’s foreign ministry
)
CJP's Saurav Das alleges YouTubers broke into his house, seeks Delhi Police action
)
$1.3 trillion vanished from chip stocks in days and demand never fell
)
Ghajini villain Pradeep Rawat passes away at 74 after battle with cancer
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian tanks are much lighter compared to US tanks
)
Nvidia just put $5 billion into a company that has never shipped a product
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Lock Upp season 2: Most dramatic and viral moments that kept fans hooked
)
'World's most beautiful village' with only 627 people generated Rs 58 lakh in traffic fines in 2025
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (August 3-9, 2026): Main Vaapas Aaunga, Uyir, Operation Safed Sagar- 6 titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Did military GPS jamming cause a plane to crash in New Mexico? Here's what a report says
)
India deploys joint outbreak response team as Chandipura virus spreads in Gujarat, Rajasthan
)
Ceaser Gastelum killed during TikTok livestream: What was his last recording?
While T. Rex relies on size and strength,Nanotyrannus used their small frame, pace, agility and arms as pretty formidable weapons to hunt down prey.
"I was very skeptical about Nanotyrannus myself until about six years ago when I took a close look at the fossils and was surprised to realize we'd gotten it wrong all these years," saidLongrich.
Watch |WION Climate Tracker: Climate change played keyrole in dominance of dinosaurs
T. Rex fossil remains highly sought after
Dinosaur skeletons and other specimens belonging to the majestic reptile that once roamed the face of the Earth remain highly sought after by collectors. No more than a couple of sales take place in a year worldwide which attractenormous attention, especially if it involves a T. Rex - the legendary 40-foot-long predator.
Notably, in April last year, a 67-million-year-old T. Rex skeleton named 'Trinity' was auctioned in Switzerland. It was the first time that an entire T-Rex skeleton had gone under the hammer and fetched a record sum of $6.1 million at the Koller auction house.
(With inputs from agencies)