| Alioramus | |
|---|---|
 | |
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Kingdom: |
Animalia |
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Phylum: |
Chordata |
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Class: |
Reptilia |
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Superorder: |
Dinosauria |
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Order: |
Saurischia |
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Suborder: |
Theropoda |
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Superfamily: |
†Tyrannosauroidea |
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Family: |
†Tyrannosauridae |
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Genus: |
†Alioramus |
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Species: |
†A. remotus (type) †A. altai |
Alioramus (meaning "removed other branch") was a genus of tyrannosaur from late Cretaceous Mongolia. It is believed to have been similar to Tarbosaurus.
Description[]
At 5-6 meteres (16-20 feet) long, Alioramus was a small member of the family Tyrannosauridae. The holotype specimen may juvenile, meaning an adult would have been larger, however, it is believed to be a full grown specimen.
Skull[]
Alioramus remotus' skull was 45 centimetres (18 inches) in length. The nasal bones are fused with a row of five small, 1 centimeter (0.39 in) tall bony crests protruding from the midline. This feature is unique to Alioramus. As with Tarbosaurus, the mandible was slender and articulated with the dentary bones, reducing the amount of flexibility that other tyrannosaurids had. Alioramus had 76-78 teeth, more than any other tyrannosaurid.
Posture[]
Just like other tyrannosaurids, Alioramus had reduced forelimbs to counterbalance its (relatively) massive head. Its tail would have been held erect and the weight distributed to the hips. Being smaller than most other members of the family, Alioramus may have moved quicker.
Classification[]
Alioramus was a genus from the family Tyrannosauridae and a relative of Tarbosaurus, whom also lived in Mongolia. Some scientist consider Alioramus to be a juvenile Tarbosaurus.
