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Description

Ulughbegsaurus uzbekistanensis, is a recently described Carcharodontosaurian, Allosauroid from the Bissekty Formation of Uzbekistan. The Bissekty Formation is dated to the Turonian stage of the Upper Cretaceous (93.9-89.8 mya). The holotype (UzSGM 11-01-02), consists of a partial left maxilla missing the ascending ramus and was originally discovered during the 1980s.

Along with the smaller Shaochilong maortuensis from the Ulansuhai Formation of China, Ulughbegsaurus is one of the youngest Allosauroids known. The Carcharodontosaurians were a casualty of the Cenomanian-Turonian extinction event. It was their absence that allowed the Tyrannosauroids to eventually fill the niche of apex predator during the later stages of the Cretaceous.

Ulughbegsaurus was a medium to large theropod, measuring 7.5 to 8 metres and weighing approximately 1,000 kg. It’s presence indicates that the Allosauroids didn’t yield the position of large apex predator to the Tyrannosauroids until at least the Turonian. In fact Ulughbegsaurus shared it’s environment with the small Tyrannosauroid Timurlengia euotica, estimated to measure 3 to 4 metres and weigh just 170 kg.

Shaochilong, while also from the Turonian lived along the giant basal coelurosaurian, Chilantaisaurus tashuikouensis which was most likely the apex predator of the Ulansuhai Formation. However, Chilantaisaurus has also been classified as an Neovenatorid, Allosauroid.

References:

Brusatte, S., Benson, R., Chure, D., Xu, X., Sullivan, C., Hone, D. (2009). “The first definitive carcharodontosaurid (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from Asia and the delayed ascent of tyrannosaurids.” Naturwissenschaften, 96(9): 1051-1058.

Porfiri, J. D., Valieri, R. D. J., Santos, D. D. D., Lamanna, M. C. (2018). “A new megaraptoran theropod dinosaur from the Upper Cretaceous Bajo de la Carpa Formation of northwestern Patagonia.” Cretaceous Research, 89: 302-319.

Tanaka, K., Anvarov, O. I. O., Zelenitsky, D. K., Ahmedshaev, S. A., Kobayashi, Y. (2021). “A new carcharodontosaurian theropod dinosaur occupies apex predator niche in the early Late Cretaceous of Uzbekistan.” Royal Society Open Science, 8(9): 210923.

Proportions were based on Dan Folkes' skeletal reconstruction of Neovenator salerii.

Description

Ulughbegsaurus uzbekistanensis, is a recently described Carcharodontosaurian, Allosauroid from the Bissekty Formation of Uzbekistan. The Bissekty Formation is dated to the Turonian stage of the Upper Cretaceous (93.9-89.8 mya). The holotype (UzSGM 11-01-02), consists of a partial left maxilla missing the ascending ramus and was originally discovered during the 1980s.

Along with the smaller Shaochilong maortuensis from the Ulansuhai Formation of China, Ulughbegsaurus is one of the youngest Allosauroids known. The Carcharodontosaurians were a casualty of the Cenomanian-Turonian extinction event. It was their absence that allowed the Tyrannosauroids to eventually fill the niche of apex predator during the later stages of the Cretaceous.

Ulughbegsaurus was a medium to large theropod, measuring 7.5 to 8 metres and weighing approximately 1,000 kg. It’s presence indicates that the Allosauroids didn’t yield the position of large apex predator to the Tyrannosauroids until at least the Turonian. In fact Ulughbegsaurus shared it’s environment with the small Tyrannosauroid Timurlengia euotica, estimated to measure 3 to 4 metres and weigh just 170 kg.

Shaochilong, while also from the Turonian lived along the giant basal coelurosaurian, Chilantaisaurus tashuikouensis which was most likely the apex predator of the Ulansuhai Formation. However, Chilantaisaurus has also been classified as an Neovenatorid, Allosauroid.

References:

Brusatte, S., Benson, R., Chure, D., Xu, X., Sullivan, C., Hone, D. (2009). “The first definitive carcharodontosaurid (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from Asia and the delayed ascent of tyrannosaurids.” Naturwissenschaften, 96(9): 1051-1058.

Porfiri, J. D., Valieri, R. D. J., Santos, D. D. D., Lamanna, M. C. (2018). “A new megaraptoran theropod dinosaur from the Upper Cretaceous Bajo de la Carpa Formation of northwestern Patagonia.” Cretaceous Research, 89: 302-319.

Tanaka, K., Anvarov, O. I. O., Zelenitsky, D. K., Ahmedshaev, S. A., Kobayashi, Y. (2021). “A new carcharodontosaurian theropod dinosaur occupies apex predator niche in the early Late Cretaceous of Uzbekistan.” Royal Society Open Science, 8(9): 210923.

Proportions were based on Dan Folkes' skeletal reconstruction of Neovenator salerii.