Lecture Notes: Achillobator - Asian Theropod of the Late Cretaceous

Introduction to Achillobator

• Meaning: Named "Achilles hero," reflecting its strength and agility.
• Era: Lived during the Late Cretaceous period, a time with a warm climate and diverse life forms.
• Importance: Offers insights into prehistoric ecosystems.

Key Facts about Achillobator

• Pronunciation: Ah-kil-oh-bah-tor
• Group: Theropods
• Species: Achillobator giganticus
• Diet: Carnivorous
• Lived: 100.5 to 83.6 million years ago (MYA)
• Size:
  • Length: 13.0 to 16.0 feet
  • Height: 4.1 feet at the hip
  • Weight: 0.2 tons
• Mobility: Bipedal
• Discovery:
  • First found in 1989 in Mongolia’s Baynshire Formation
  • First described in 1999 by Altangerel Perle, Mark Norell, and James Matthew Clark
• Holotype: MNUFR-15

Origins and Discovery

• Name Origin: Combines Greek "Achilles" and Mongolian "baatar" (hero).
• Taxonomy: Part of the Dromaeosauridae family.
• Discovery Insight: Unearthed during a Mongolian-Russian paleontologist expedition.

Fossil Evidence

• Location: Bayan Shireh Formation, Mongolia.
• Fossil Details: Partial skeleton including skull, vertebrae, and limbs.
• Subsequent Finds: Additional skeletal fragments and footprints enhancing understanding.

Physical Description

• Features:
  • Streamlined body with a long tail.
  • Strong hind limbs for fast movement.
  • Smaller forelimbs with sharp claws.
  • Elongated head with sharp teeth.
• Size: Large dromaeosaurid, up to 16 feet long.

Adaptations and Environment

• Achilles Tendon: Well-developed for strength and movement.
• Role in Ecosystem: Likely a major predator impacting its environment.
• Habitat: Warm climate with diverse flora and fauna.

Interaction with Contemporaries

• Coexisting Dinosaurs: Tarbosaurus, Velociraptor, Oviraptor, Protoceratops.
• Predatory Role: Influenced prey behavior and ecosystem dynamics.

Conclusion

• Achillobator exemplifies adaptability and predatory prowess of Late Cretaceous dinosaurs.
• Ongoing research continues to illuminate its ecological role and characteristics.

Additional Resources

• Ultimate Dino Quiz: Available for testing knowledge.
• Games: Additional dinosaur-themed games available for exploration.

Sources

• Referenced scientific literature and external sources provided for further reading and verification.