The original King of the Dinosaurs! Newly discovered predator with shark-like teeth predated T.Rex by 7 million years - and was even more terrifying, study finds
T.Rex is often referred to as the 'King of the Dinosaurs', but new research suggests that an even more fearsome predator ruled the plains of central Asia 90 million years ago.
Experts from Nagoya University in Japan have discovered the remains of a giant dinosaur in Uzbekistan, which they say was one of the mightiest killers that ever lived.
The dinosaur, dubbed Ulughbegsaurus uzbekistanensis, reached 26ft in length and weighed over a tonne.
The terrifying creature also had blade-like teeth measuring up to six inches long - similar to a Great White Shark's.
An analysis suggests that Ulughbegsaurus lived at least 90 million years ago - seven million years before T.Rex emerged around 83 million years ago.
Experts from Nagoya University in Japan have discovered the remains of a giant dinosaur in Uzbekistan, which they say was one of the mightiest killers that ever lived (artist's impression)
Dr Kohei Tanaka, who led the study, said: 'Ulughbegsaurus was 8 metres (26ft) in length and over a ton in weight, based on the size of the jaw bone.
'The skull would have measured about a metre (3ft 3inches). It had knife-like sharp teeth - and was a meat-eater.'
It belonged to a group known as Carcharodontosaurs, or 'shark-toothed dinosaurs'.
Dr Tanaka added: 'It closely resembled Neovenator - which was actually discovered in the UK.'
The fossilised bones of Neovenator, meaning 'new hunter', were discovered on the Isle of Wight - nicknamed Dinosaur Island.
Ulughbegsaurus was identified by its left jaw bone and teeth entombed in rocks at a donosaur graveyard known as the Bissekty Formation.
It crops out in the Kyzylkum desert and has yielded a vast number of exquisitely preserved prehistoric vertebrates.
The frightening animal inhabited a coastal plain at the westernmost point of the Asian landmass when Earth's continents were still bunched close.
Dr Tanaka said: 'Diverse groups including plant eating duck-billed and horned dinosaurs, ankylosaurs and enormous sauropods - and various small carnivore dinosaurs - have been collected there.
'Ulughbegsaurus, as the apex predator of the ecosystem, hunted these dinosaurs.
'The Bissekty Formation also includes other animals such as various birds, pterosaurs and mammals. It must have been a fabulously rich environment.'
Carcharodontosaurs are even known to have fought each other - sometimes to the death.
Ulughbegsaurus was identified by its left jaw bone and teeth entombed in rocks at a donosaur graveyard known as the Bissekty Formation
An analysis of the dinosaur's jaw suggests it had blade-like teeth measuring up to six inches long - similar to a Great White Shark's
Face and head bites - including tooth punctures and gouges - have been found in the fossil record.
They were almost certainly inflicted during territorial battles, in the same way animals claim rights today.
Dr Tanaka added: 'Ulughbegsaurus represents a previously unknown apex predator - and the first reported carcharodontosaur from Late Cretaceous Central Asia.
'The discovery also provides evidence predatory carcharodontosaurs and tyrannosaurs co-existed in the region at that time.'The former were the dominant predators over smaller tyrannosaurs which became larger later in the Cretaceous - and included T Rex.'
Ulughbegsaurus, described in Royal Society Open Science, sheds light on a peculiar time in history when the world was warm and wet, and covered in shallow seas.
It may have evolved becuase the oceans divided up the land and led to different groups of dinosaurs in different places.
The phenomenon has implications for global warming today as it shows how life may reacts to changes in temperatures, and sea levels.
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