Episode 68 is all about Cryolophosaurus, a theropod with a curved head crest found in Antarctica.
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In this episode, we discuss:
- The dinosaur of the day: Cryolophosaurus
- Name means cold crest lizard
- Species is Cryolophosaurus ellioti
- Large theropod
- Lived in the early Jurassic in what is now Antarctica
- Dr. William Hammer first excavated the bones in 1991
- Elliot and Hammer were excavating in Antarctica in 1991, and Elliot’s team first found Cryolophosaurus at an altitude of 13,000 ft (4,000 m), about 400 mi (640) from the South Pole. He told Hammer about it, and Hammer excavated it over 3 weeks.
- Hammer and Hickerson described Cryolophosaurus in 1994 in the journal Science
- Species named after David Elliot, who first discovered the fossils
- Found bones including a skull and femur
- 21.3 ft (6.5 m) long, and weighed 1,025 lb (465 kg); one of the largest theropods
- Only one known specimen, and it’s a sub-adult, so may have grown larger
- Second expedition in 2003 to find more Cryolophosaurus bones
- Hammer and team found over 100 fossil bones (some of Cryolophosaurus)
- Primitive brain
- In 2013 Vernon Meidlinger-Chin did an unpublished study of the cranial cavity (it was large and intact enough to give the shape and size of the brain) and it showed it was not similar to allosauroids and coelurosaurs, so Cryolophosaurus would be some sort of basal theropod
- A potential pathology was found in a Cryolophosaurus ankle bone, but it could be a unique feature (small splint from the fibula above the ankle)
- First carnivorous dinosaur found in Antarctica and first non-avian dinosaur from Antarctica officially named
- Scientists didn’t find any dinosaur fossils in Antarctica until the 1980s (Antarctopelta oliveroi was found in 1986, but not named until 2006)
- Top predator in Antarctica
- Large theropods like Allosaurus didn’t live until a few million years later (interesting Cryolophosaurus was so large)
- Thick, muscular legs
- Lighter and faster than T-rex
- U.S. Geological Survey found that dinosaurs could live in colder conditions (called polar dinosaurs, had good night vision, warm-blooded and could look for food in winter at night)
- Back then, Antarctica was closer to the equator and warmer than modern Antarctica (though still fairly cool)
- Because of high altitude, may mean in the early Jurassic the area was covered in forests and had a wide range of species on the coast (plenty of food)
- Cryolophosaurus may have been a scavenger
- Some Cryolophosaurus bones found with nibble-like markings (possible a scavenger)
- Another dinosaur in the area was Glacialisaurus (“frozen lizard”), a prosauropod (too large for Cryolophosaurus to hunt)
- Probably had sharp teeth that curved backwards (to hold its prey in its jaws)
- Short forearms, so jaws were important
- Cryolophosaurus probably went for juveniles or sick or old Glacialisaurus, or scavenged them
- A few long cervical ribs of a prosauropod were found in Cryolophosaurus’ mouth, so in 1998 Hammer concluded it was eating the prosauropod when it died.
- But, the ribs went all the way into Cryolophosaurus‘ neck, so it’s possible Cryolophosaurus choked to death on the ribs. However, a separate study led by Smith said those ribs belonged to another Cryolophosaurus and not a prosauropod
- The ribs were displaced after it died (Cryolophosaurus)
- High, narrow skull, about 26 in (65 cm) long
- Had a crest on its head that ran from side to side, and looked like a Spanish comb (probably used to recognize species)
- Curved head crest faces forward
- Nasal crest over the eyes, thin and furrowed (other theropods have crests, but usually ran along the skull instead of across the skull)
- Crest would not have been a good weapon, but may have been used for display in attracting mates
- Nicknamed “Elvisaurus” because it’s crest is Elvis Presley-like
- Can see Cryolophosaurus in the first episode of Dinosaur Revolution (a couple look at their eggs, then a larger male attacks and eats the eggs)
- Can also see Cryolophosaurus in Primal Carnage and Primal Carnage: Extinction (can spit out poison in Primal Carnage and acid in Primage Carnage: Extinction)
- On PBS’ Dinosaur Train, there’s a recurring character called King Cryolophosaurus
- Board book on dinosaurs called “Dinoblock” has a Cryolophosaurus in it
- Thought to be a primitive member of Tetanurae or a close relative (skull has advanced features and there was debate over whether it was a tetanuran, abelisaurid, ceratosaur or allosaurid; femur is primitive and caused debate over whether it was a dilophosaurid)
- Part of Tetanuran family
- Tenanurae means “stiff tails” and is a clade that includes more theropods
- Appeared in the early or middle Jurassic
- Clade was named in 1986 by Jacques Gauthier
- Includes all theropods more closely related to modern birds than Ceratosaurus
- Fun Fact: The University of California, Santa Cruz simulation shows an approximation of the “mega tsunami” created by the Chicxulub impact. It estimates that the water would be vaporized at the impact site, but just outside it, a ~100m (330ft) high wave would have propagated.
