Brusatte SL, O’Connor JK, Jarvis ED. 2015. The origin and diversification of birds. Curr Biol. [cited 2024 Feb 5]; 25(19): R888–R898. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2015.08.003
This paper explores how modern birds evolved from the theropod dinosaurs, tracing their origins back to small, feathered species in the Jurassic period. It discusses key evolutionary changes, including the development of flight-related related features such as lightweight bones, advanced feathers, and rapid growth rates. The paper also examines how birds diversified during the Cretaceous period, survived the mass extinction event that wiped out non-Avian dinosaurs (including T. rex), and continued evolving into the wide variety of species seen today. By analyzing fossils and anatomical transitions, the study provides a clearer picture of how birds emerged as the last surviving dinosaur lineage.
This paper will be most useful for my “T. rex’s Evolution” website, where I will discuss their evolutionary connections to other theropods, including early bird ancestors. It will help me in explaining why scientists classify birds as living dinosaurs and how their traits are seen in T. rex, such are hollow bones and potential feather-like structures, which relate to bird evolution. Some of the figures I will be using are fig.1., 2, 5, and 6, which from my understanding will help me show the evolutionary relationship between theropod dinosaurs (especially T. rex) and birds. I chose these because they compare the skeletal traits of theropods, early birds and modern birds. It also highlights the shared features, such as hollow bone sand fused clavicles, that T. rex also have and key anatomical changes such as feathers and flight adaptation. Overall it helps in the explanation of how birds survived while T. rex and other non-avian dinosaurs went extinct, by discussing how some dinosaur lineage died out while others persisted (this is for a small section of my website). With this, I will provide a strong evolutionary context for T. rex, making it clear how its biology is connected to both its dinosaur ancestors and its modern avian relatives, by integrating these in my website.
Brusatte SL, Carr TD. The phylogeny and evolutionary history of tyrannosauroid dinosaurs. Scientific Reports. 2016;6(1). https://www.nature.com/articles/srep20252. doi:10.1038/srep20252
This paper discusses how tyrannosaurs evolved over time, starting as small dinosaurs before eventually becoming large apex predators like Tyrannosaurus rex. The researchers use a phylogenetic analysis to study how different species of tyrannosaurs are related to each other and how certain traits developed over time. One thing they mention is that tyrannosaurs did not start out as the giant predators we usually think of. Instead, their ancestors were much smaller and lived alongside bigger predators. Over time, they developed stronger skulls, better senses, and eventually grew to enormous sizes, which helped them become top predators.
One of the main points in the paper is that tyrannosaurs had certain adaptations, like strong jaws and good eyesight, that appeared before they became large. This is interesting because it suggests that they were already evolving to be successful hunters long before they reached their famous large sizes. The paper also talks about how environmental changes and competition with other dinosaurs may have influenced their development. While I don’t fully understand all of the technical details, it seems like the researchers used a lot of fossil data to create a family tree showing how different tyrannosaurs were related and when they lived.
I think this paper will be useful for my website because it explains how T. rex was not an isolated species but rather part of a long evolutionary process. The phylogenetic tree in the paper seems important because it shows the relationships between different tyrannosaurs and how they changed over time. The body size comparison chart is another useful part of the paper, which helps visualize how tyrannosaurs went from small to large. Since this is my first time reading about dinosaur evolution in such detail, some of the terminology is a bit confusing, but overall, the paper helps me see the bigger picture of how T. rex evolved. My understanding is not very deep yet, but I think this paper gives me a good starting point for learning more about how tyrannosaurs changed over time.
Millar M. Predicting Theropod Hunting Tactics using Machine Learning. Open Science Journal. 2019;4(1). https://www.osjournal.org/ojs/index.php/OSJ/article/view/1820. doi:10.23954/osj.v4i1.1820
This paper explores how machine learning models can be used to predict the hunting strategies of theropod dinosaurs, including Tyrannosaurus rex. By analyzing fossil evidence, such as body structure, bite force, and limb proportions, the study attempts to determine whether certain theropods were ambush predators or pursuit hunters. The author applies artificial intelligence techniques to compare theropod traits with those of modern-day predators, allowing for a data-driven approach to understanding dinosaur behavior. The findings suggest that different theropods may have used a range of hunting tactics based on their physical adaptations and ecological roles. T. rex, for example, is suggested to be a powerful ambush predator rather than a fast, sustained chaser.
One of the key takeaways from this paper is that machine learning provides a new way to study extinct animals by identifying patterns that may not be obvious from fossils alone. The study emphasizes that while traditional fossil analysis is crucial, combining it with modern computational techniques can offer deeper insights into dinosaur behavior. The results also highlight how different theropods adapted to their environments, showing a diversity of predatory strategies beyond just brute strength or speed.
This paper is particularly interesting because it connects paleontology with modern technology. The figures comparing theropod limb structures and their relation to speed and agility will be helpful in explaining why T. rex was likely not a fast chaser but rather an ambush predator that relied on its powerful bite. This study helps reinforce the idea that T. rex was a calculated hunter, using its physical traits to dominate its environment rather than simply relying on speed. The paper provides a fresh perspective by showing how modern technology can help answer questions about dinosaur behavior.
Dalman, S.G., Loewen, M.A., Pyron, R.A., et al. (2024). A giant tyrannosaur from the Campanian–Maastrichtian of southern North America and the evolution of tyrannosaurid gigantism. Scientific Reports, 14, 22124. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-47011-0
This paper describes a newly discovered giant tyrannosaurid from the Campanian–Maastrichtian boundary in southern North America, providing new insight into the evolutionary history of large-bodied predators. The study highlights how tyrannosaurs gradually increased in size over time, with this specimen filling a gap between earlier medium-sized tyrannosaurs and later massive species like Tyrannosaurus rex. The authors used detailed anatomical comparisons and phylogenetic analysis to trace how specific traits like stronger jaws and more robust skeletons as they developed gradually within the group. Environmental conditions like expanding habitats, changing prey populations, and reduced competition likely created selective pressure for larger body sizes. The paper emphasizes that gigantism in tyrannosaurids evolved through a complex series of adaptations rather than through a single dramatic shift. This finding contributes to our understanding of how T. rex became one of the largest land predators in history.
I will be using this paper primarily on my Growth and Adaptation webpage. It helps explain how evolutionary pressures led to increasing body size and supports discussion of environmental influences on tyrannosaurid growth. I will include Figure 3 and 6 from the paper, which shows the size comparisons and phylogenetic relationships among various tyrannosaurids, to visually support the gradual increase in body size over time. This figure will help readers understand that T. rex's size was part of a larger evolutionary trend rather than an isolated event.
Brusatte, S. L., Norell, M. A., Carr, T. D., Erickson, G. M., Hutchinson, J. R., Balanoff, A. M., Bever, G. S., Choiniere, J. N., Makovicky, P. J., & Xing Xu. (2010). Tyrannosaur paleobiology: New research on ancient exemplar organisms. In Science (Vol. 329, p. 1481). https://www.science.org/doi/pdf/10.1126/science.1193304
This article reviews the developments in the understanding of tyrannosaur evolution, biomechanics, growth, sensory biology, and behavior. The authors discuss how tyrannosaurs like Tyrannosaurus rex evolved from smaller, more lightly built ancestors and how they came to dominate Late Cretaceous ecosystems. One major focus is the integration of modern technologies, such as CT scans and biomechanical modeling, which has revealed details about tyrannosaur locomotion, bite force, and sensory capabilities. The paper also highlights the evidence for feathers in early tyrannosauroids, supporting their evolutionary connection to birds. Additionally, it emphasizes how tyrannosaurs serve as model organisms for understanding broader patterns in dinosaur biology.
I will use this article to support my idea on the unique adaptations of T. rex, especially in relation to their bite force, growth, and sensory abilities. The overview of tyrannosaurid evolution and new methodologies discussed in this paper also helps contextualize the lineage’s adaptations to predation and dominance in their ecosystems. I would be using figures 1, 3, and part of 4 from this article, its synthesized findings will support multiple aspects of the narrative related to T. rex’sadaptations.