Rare Tyrannosaur Fossil Found in Museum Drawer May Rewrite Mexico’s Dinosaur History

A dusty museum drawer is one of the last places you’d expect to find a new dinosaur species but this is exactly how Labocania aguillonae, was discovered. After sitting ignored in the Museo del Desierto since its discovery in 2000, an inquisitive paleontologist rediscovered just how important it was. Now this previously unknown species of tyrannosaur has the entire archeological community in uproar. To think this fossil went from hiding underground to right under our noses!

The Skeleton in The Drawer

The fossil was first unearthed back in 2000 by Martha Carolina Aguillón, but it was only recently reexamined in the Museo del Desierto. Nick Longrich, a paleontologist involved in the study, said that at first glance, the bones appeared insignificant like a pile of rubble. But after a closer look, its true value shone through. It was an entirely new species of tyrannosaur.

True Tyrannosaur North

For years, scientists thought tyrannosaurs were just a North American thing like maple syrup and cowboys. I mean even the famous T. Rex and its relatives have traditionally been associated with regions like Canada, Montana, and Wyoming. Only a clawfull of tyrannosaurs have been found further south. But now, it looks like these dinos had a secret hideout in Mexico! This could dramatically shift our understanding of tyrannosaurs roaming routes.

The Growing Southern Tyrannosaur Population

Turns out Tyrannosaurs have been expanding their territory!  Over the last few decades, we’ve found more and more of these dinos in places like Utah and New Mexico. Before now, Mexico has been something of a blank spot in the fossil record with only scattered teeth and bones found across the country. Luckily the key bones of this find such as the femur, spine, and skull, let’s fill that gap. Before this, there was only one other possible tyrannosaur found in Mexico, and even that one is still up for debate among experts.

Unique Look at Labocania aguillonae 

Unlike its northern cousins, Labocania aguillonae had some distinct physical traits. Like the supermodel of the tyrannosaur world, it was lightly built, with long legs and large eyes. These match characteristic traits of southern tyrannosaurs like Bistahieversor sealeyi and Teratophoneus curriei. It shows they were doing something totally different than their northern relatives. It’s a revelation that better helps us understand this new branch in the tyrannosaur family tree.

What’s So Special About Southern Tyrannosaurs 

Labocania aguillonae hints at a greater diversity among tyrannosaurs. As city girls adapted to drinking more Starbucks than country girls, paleontologists believe southern and northern tyrannosaurs also evolved to suit their specific habitats. Compared to northern tyrannosaurs, southern tyrannosaurs’ unusual skulls, limbs, and anatomies make them look like a different breed. But these bones are just one of a kind.

A New Theory on Tyrannosaur Distribution

For years we thought the concentration of tyrannosaurs in northern areas was just a product of fossil availability. But this new rediscovery fiercely challenges that assumption. It’s possible the North only has more fossils due to better excavation and research efforts. I mean clearly southern regions like Mexico have their own diverse tyrannosaur populations too! So why don’t we do some more digging into the region?

The Dino Debate 

Turns out not everyone thinks this trail of bones leads to the truth about tyrannosaur history. Some paleontologists argue that the evidence is too fragmentary to make big claims about this dinosaur’s part in Mexico’s puzzling ecosystem. While many agree it’s definitely exciting, they warn that we need more complete fossils than tooth and nail to fully understand the implications. 

What’s Waiting Beneath

Nick Longrich, one of the researchers involved, believes there’s much more to discover in Mexico. “There’s a lot more in [Mexico] than we realize,” he said. This find might just be the tip of the asteroid. It has paleontologists eager to search for more fossils in southern regions. Surely a thrilling prospect for anyone interested in the history of these ancient predators.

A Second Glance

I honestly cannot believe someone forgot a dinosaur fossil in a drawer for 24 years! Apparently, it went missing due to a mix of limited museum resources and the sheer volume of fossils held in collections. But it goes to show that history isn’t about trying to find something new, but just taking a second look at what’s already there. I do hope this encourages museums to revisit their collections more frequently. 

What’s Next for the Labocania aguillonae?

Additional fieldwork in Mexico could uncover more fossils that set the prehistoric context for this dino’s life and environment. With the discovery of Labocania aguillonae, researchers are eager to learn more about this species.  The fossil has already sparked renewed interest in Mexico’s paleontological potential. It’s clear that this drawer find has breathed new life into the study of this region’s dinosaurs.

In Short 

The person who hid Labocania aguillonae probably felt incredibly embarrassed about leaving a new species in the dark. As paleontologists continue to study this new species, we’ll learn even more about the diversity and range of tyrannosaurs in southern regions. Hopefully, there aren’t any more fossils lost in desk drawers out there. But who knows what’s lurking beneath those files in your desk drawer?