Looking at it, it seems in all respects one of those horrible dinosaurs of the Japanese TV series, which terrified our afternoons as children. In fact the Llukalkan aliocranianus (literally “the one who causes fear”) has its characteristic already in the name, which derives for the first term from the native Amerindian Mapuche (Llukalkan) and for the second word from the Latin for (aliocranianus, “different skull”). It is the latest scientific discovery published on the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. One of the ten species of abelisaurids known to date, whose existence dates back to 80 million years ago.
Monstrous and fearsome, it was probably among the most formidable predators of the late Cretaceous in all of Patagonia. A being of exceptional size (up to five meters in length), with a very powerful bite, with very sharp teeth and enormous claws on the lower legs. Gifted with an acute sense of smell and a hearing superior to that of other abelisaurids. Its curious skull, short and formed by rough bones, suggests a head full of swellings and protrusions that relate it to more recent reptiles such as the Gila monster (Heloderma, other large saurian) or some species of iguana. Fossil remains of Llukalkan were found in the geological formation of Bajo de la Carpa, Argentina.
“This – says the paleontologist Federico Gianechini, lead author of the research – is a particularly important finding because it suggests that the diversity and abundance of abelisaurids were remarkable, not only throughout Patagonia, but also in more concentrated areas, during the twilight of the dinosaurs. ” family of theropod dinosaurs averaging five to nine meters long, which roamed mainly in Patagonia and other areas of the ancient southern subcontinent of Gondwana, now Africa, India, Antarctica, Australia and South America. Currently, about ten species of these animals have been unearthed throughout Patagonia.
Resembling T-Rex in general appearance, with tiny, stubby front legs, the Llukalkan aliocranianus it had an unusually short but deep skull, often decorated with crests, protrusions, even horns. In short, a one-of-a-kind specimen. The large claws of the hind legs, which allowed it to move in an upright position, were used to block the prey, which was then finished by the powerful mouthparts. But the real peculiarity that distinguishes the Llukalkan from its predecessors it is hidden right in its small skull. The fossil remains, thanks to the excellent state of conservation, revealed a small posterior sinus full of air in the area of the middle ear. An additional auditory organ whose presence has never before been found in any other abelisaurid. This means, according to Dr. Ariel mendez of the Patagonian Institute of Geology and Paleontology, which the Llukalkan he could hear us much better than other abelisaurids, like a modern crocodile.
Also the fossil remains, considered as evidence of its adaptation to the environment, suggest that the abelisaurids were beginning to spread just before the dinosaurs became extinct. Before they disappeared, “they were still experimenting with new evolutionary paths, among other things rapidly diversifying,” adds Mendez. Despite the surprising results of the San Luis research, the scholars themselves admit that there is still a lot to discover. “Probably – says Gianechini – there are many more specimens of abelisaurids than we think and in which we have not yet come across. Therefore, we will extend our research in further new directions”.
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