馬(ma)普(pu)(pu)龍(long)是一種(zhong)(zhong)大型的(de)(de)(de)獸(shou)腳類恐龍(long),屬(shu)于(yu)異特龍(long)超科中的(de)(de)(de)鯊齒龍(long)類。馬(ma)普(pu)(pu)龍(long)屬(shu)下(xia)目前只有一種(zhong)(zhong),玫(mei)瑰馬(ma)普(pu)(pu)龍(long),生存時代為晚(wan)白(bai)堊世的(de)(de)(de)晚(wan)塞諾曼期至早(zao)土倫期。馬(ma)普(pu)(pu)龍(long)的(de)(de)(de)化石于(yu)1997至2001年在加拿大-阿(a)根廷聯合(he)科考項(xiang)目中被發現(xian)于(yu)阿(a)根廷地區(qu)的(de)(de)(de)烏因庫爾(er)組。
屬名mapu取(qu)自馬普切語中的單詞意(yi)為(wei)“大地的”,即“大地的蜥蜴”。種(zhong)名取(qu)自化石發現(xian)地的玫(mei)瑰色巖層,同時(shi)也是紀念聯合(he)科考的贊助商Rose Letwin。
馬(ma)普龍的化石發現于一個包含有多個個體(ti)的骨床。
正型標本MCF-PVPH-108.1:包含一件右側(ce)鼻(bi)骨。
馬普龍的(de)(de)(de)(de)鼻(bi)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)厚(hou)實且具(ju)有氣(qi)腔(qiang)化(hua)的(de)(de)(de)(de)結構,表面具(ju)有粗(cu)糙的(de)(de)(de)(de)紋飾。左(zuo)右側(ce)的(de)(de)(de)(de)鼻(bi)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)未(wei)愈合。鼻(bi)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)前端(duan)較后(hou)(hou)端(duan)更(geng)(geng)(geng)窄。眶(kuang)(kuang)前窩較南方巨(ju)獸龍更(geng)(geng)(geng)為寬(kuan)大(da)。上頜孔非(fei)常小,與眶(kuang)(kuang)前窗之間(jian)存在(zai)非(fei)常粗(cu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)質間(jian)隔。淚骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)前突與下(xia)突交界處(chu)背側(ce)的(de)(de)(de)(de)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)質突起(qi)較南方巨(ju)獸龍要更(geng)(geng)(geng)加低矮(ai)。前額骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)在(zai)內(nei)外側(ce)向加寬(kuan)。齒(chi)間(jian)板較短且低矮(ai)。齒(chi)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)內(nei)側(ce)麥氏溝(gou)位(wei)于更(geng)(geng)(geng)靠(kao)近(jin)背緣的(de)(de)(de)(de)位(wei)置。齒(chi)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)前腹側(ce)緣更(geng)(geng)(geng)加平滑(hua),向后(hou)(hou)延(yan)申的(de)(de)(de)(de)更(geng)(geng)(geng)多(duo)。顴骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)上方顴骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)突分(fen)成兩(liang)個分(fen)支。前部下(xia)頜舌骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)孔很小,位(wei)于齒(chi)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)上側(ce),與夾(jia)板骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)貼近(jin)。第三和第二掌骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)愈合。肱(gong)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)遠(yuan)端(duan)較寬(kuan),兩(liang)側(ce)的(de)(de)(de)(de)關節(jie)髁分(fen)隔不(bu)明顯。尾骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)短肌附著窩非(fei)常深(shen),其(qi)上界達到了腸骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)坐骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)柄(bing)的(de)(de)(de)(de)背緣。頸椎(zhui)(zhui)上骺(hou)呈(cheng)柱狀(zhuang),略微(wei)彎(wan)(wan)曲,向遠(yuan)端(duan)延(yan)申的(de)(de)(de)(de)過(guo)程中逐漸(jian)變細(xi)。樞椎(zhui)(zhui)的(de)(de)(de)(de)左(zuo)右后(hou)(hou)關節(jie)突指(zhi)向內(nei)側(ce)。頸椎(zhui)(zhui)神(shen)經棘高聳,前后(hou)(hou)向加寬(kuan),背側(ce)緣較為鋒利。坐骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)柄(bing)呈(cheng)現出(chu)明顯的(de)(de)(de)(de)彎(wan)(wan)曲。腓骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)纖細(xi)。
歸入標本MCF-PVPH-108.5:左側的(de)淚(lei)骨(gu)和(he)前額骨(gu)。
歸入標本MCF-PVPH-108.45:右側肱骨。
歸(gui)入標本MCF-PVPH-108.83:樞椎。
歸入標本(ben)MCF-PVPH-108.90:頸椎(zhui)神經(jing)棘。
歸入標(biao)本(ben)MCF-PVPH-108.115:右側上頜骨。
歸入標本MCF-PVPH-108.125:左側齒(chi)骨。
歸(gui)入標本MCF-PVPH-108.128:左側腸(chang)骨。
歸入標(biao)本MCF-PVPH-108.165:右側腸骨。
歸(gui)入(ru)標本MCF-PVPH-108.167:顴(quan)骨(gu)。
歸入標本MCF-PVPH-108.177:右側眶后骨(gu)。
歸入(ru)標本MCF-PVPH-108.179:右側夾(jia)板骨。
歸入標本MCF-PVPH-108.202:右側(ce)腓(fei)骨。
馬(ma)普(pu)龍無疑是非常(chang)巨(ju)大的(de)(de),其體型與它(ta)的(de)(de)近親南(nan)方巨(ju)獸龍相仿。在(zai)對(dui)正(zheng)型標(biao)本描(miao)述的(de)(de)過程中,研究人員發現馬(ma)普(pu)龍較大的(de)(de)骨骼標(biao)本接近南(nan)方巨(ju)獸龍對(dui)應部(bu)位的(de)(de)標(biao)本大小,于是粗(cu)略的(de)(de)估計(ji)了(le)馬(ma)普(pu)龍的(de)(de)體長大約在(zai)12米左右。古生物(wu)學家托馬(ma)斯.霍茲(zi)在(zai)他的(de)(de)研究中估計(ji)馬(ma)普(pu)龍的(de)(de)體型大約在(zai)12.6米。而另外一項研究則認為(wei)馬(ma)普(pu)龍的(de)(de)體型略小于南(nan)方巨(ju)獸龍,體長約11.5米,重5噸。
發現馬(ma)普龍(long)(long)化(hua)石的烏因庫爾組整體環境偏干燥,但是(shi)會有季節性(xing)的溪(xi)流(liu)出現。與馬(ma)普龍(long)(long)生存在同一地區(qu)的恐龍(long)(long)還包(bao)括(kuo)屬(shu)于(yu)泰坦巨(ju)龍(long)(long)類的阿(a)根廷龍(long)(long)和(he)喬岡龍(long)(long),馳龍(long)(long)類的鷲(jiu)龍(long)(long),以及屬(shu)于(yu)阿(a)貝(bei)力龍(long)(long)類的蝎獵龍(long)(long)和(he)肌肉龍(long)(long)。
馬(ma)普(pu)龍(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)多件(jian)標(biao)本在(zai)(zai)一(yi)個骨床里被發(fa)(fa)現(xian),里面至(zhi)少包(bao)括了7件(jian)處于(yu)不(bu)(bu)同(tong)個體發(fa)(fa)育階段的(de)(de)(de)標(biao)本。這(zhe)種不(bu)(bu)同(tong)年(nian)齡段的(de)(de)(de)個體在(zai)(zai)同(tong)一(yi)地(di)區(qu)被一(yi)同(tong)發(fa)(fa)現(xian)的(de)(de)(de)情況(kuang)也見于(yu)其(qi)它大型(xing)獸腳(jiao)類恐(kong)龍(long)(long)(long),這(zhe)其(qi)中包(bao)括馬(ma)普(pu)龍(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)遠親異特龍(long)(long)(long),以(yi)及更晚(wan)出現(xian)的(de)(de)(de)大型(xing)暴龍(long)(long)(long)類懼龍(long)(long)(long)和艾伯塔(ta)龍(long)(long)(long)。古生物(wu)學(xue)家認(ren)為多個處于(yu)不(bu)(bu)同(tong)年(nian)齡段的(de)(de)(de)個體在(zai)(zai)同(tong)一(yi)地(di)區(qu)被發(fa)(fa)現(xian)顯示(shi)馬(ma)普(pu)龍(long)(long)(long)可能存在(zai)(zai)群(qun)體狩(shou)獵(lie)的(de)(de)(de)行為。群(qun)體狩(shou)獵(lie)可以(yi)增加(jia)狩(shou)獵(lie)的(de)(de)(de)成功(gong)率,尤(you)其(qi)是在(zai)(zai)對付諸如阿(a)(a)根廷龍(long)(long)(long)這(zhe)樣的(de)(de)(de)大型(xing)獵(lie)物(wu)的(de)(de)(de)時(shi)候。成年(nian)阿(a)(a)根廷龍(long)(long)(long)體長約40米(mi),猶如一(yi)座移動的(de)(de)(de)肉山,即使是成年(nian)的(de)(de)(de)馬(ma)普(pu)龍(long)(long)(long)單獨狩(shou)獵(lie)這(zhe)種巨型(xing)獵(lie)物(wu)也是十(shi)分危(wei)險的(de)(de)(de)。
目前對于馬(ma)普(pu)龍(long)(long)(long)的(de)系統位(wei)置(zhi)的(de)主流觀(guan)點是屬于異特龍(long)(long)(long)超(chao)科的(de)鯊齒龍(long)(long)(long)類,與(yu)南方(fang)巨獸(shou)龍(long)(long)(long)處于姐妹群的(de)關(guan)系。
馬(ma)普龍(long)登(deng)場(chang)于2011年的(de)紀錄片(pian)《恐龍(long)星(xing)球(qiu)》。片(pian)中將馬(ma)普龍(long)描述(shu)為(wei)體(ti)型(xing)巨大(da)的(de)群居掠(lve)食者,并合作捕食阿根廷龍(long)。影(ying)片(pian)中還提到一(yi)種觀點(dian),認為(wei)諸如馬(ma)普龍(long)這樣的(de)大(da)型(xing)異特(te)龍(long)類并不需(xu)要完(wan)全殺死獵(lie)物,只需(xu)從(cong)獵(lie)物身上(shang)撕(si)下足(zu)充饑的(de)肉塊就可(ke)以了(le)。至(zhi)于真實情況下馬(ma)普龍(long)是否會群體(ti)狩獵(lie),這還需(xu)要更多的(de)證據支持。
2006年(nian)(nian),科(ke)(ke)(ke)里亞(ya)(ya)(ya)與(yu)(yu)柯爾的(de)(de)(de)親緣(yuan)(yuan)分(fen)支(zhi)分(fen)類(lei)(lei)(lei)法研(yan)究(jiu)顯(xian)示(shi)馬(ma)普(pu)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)屬于鯊(sha)齒(chi)(chi)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)科(ke)(ke)(ke),而(er)馬(ma)普(pu)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)股骨(gu)上的(de)(de)(de)結構物顯(xian)示(shi)它們與(yu)(yu)南(nan)(nan)方(fang)(fang)巨(ju)(ju)(ju)獸(shou)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)關(guan)系較近(jin),而(er)離鯊(sha)齒(chi)(chi)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)較遠(yuan)。科(ke)(ke)(ke)里亞(ya)(ya)(ya)與(yu)(yu)柯爾根據這層關(guan)系,提出一個新的(de)(de)(de)單系群分(fen)類(lei)(lei)(lei),南(nan)(nan)方(fang)(fang)巨(ju)(ju)(ju)獸(shou)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)(ya)(ya)科(ke)(ke)(ke)。該亞(ya)(ya)(ya)科(ke)(ke)(ke)的(de)(de)(de)定義為(wei):在(zai)鯊(sha)齒(chi)(chi)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)科(ke)(ke)(ke)之中,親緣(yuan)(yuan)關(guan)系較接(jie)近(jin)南(nan)(nan)方(fang)(fang)巨(ju)(ju)(ju)獸(shou)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)與(yu)(yu)馬(ma)普(pu)龍(long)(long)(long)(long),而(er)離鯊(sha)齒(chi)(chi)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)較遠(yuan)的(de)(de)(de)所有物種(zhong)。魁(kui)紂龍(long)(long)(long)(long)暫時(shi)被分(fen)類(lei)(lei)(lei)于南(nan)(nan)方(fang)(fang)巨(ju)(ju)(ju)獸(shou)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)(ya)(ya)科(ke)(ke)(ke),需(xu)要更詳(xiang)細的(de)(de)(de)敘述才能做更正(zheng)確的(de)(de)(de)分(fen)類(lei)(lei)(lei)。經過2013年(nian)(nian)的(de)(de)(de)重(zhong)新研(yan)究(jiu),特別是對(dui)魁(kui)紂龍(long)(long)(long)(long)骨(gu)骼的(de)(de)(de)詳(xiang)細研(yan)究(jiu),發現魁(kui)紂龍(long)(long)(long)(long)和(he)南(nan)(nan)方(fang)(fang)巨(ju)(ju)(ju)獸(shou)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)以及馬(ma)普(pu)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)關(guan)系更為(wei)接(jie)近(jin),而(er)離鯊(sha)齒(chi)(chi)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)較遠(yuan)一點,隨后,科(ke)(ke)(ke)學界廢除了(le)南(nan)(nan)方(fang)(fang)巨(ju)(ju)(ju)獸(shou)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)(ya)(ya)科(ke)(ke)(ke),建立(li)了(le)南(nan)(nan)方(fang)(fang)巨(ju)(ju)(ju)獸(shou)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)族,包括了(le)阿根廷的(de)(de)(de)巨(ju)(ju)(ju)型鯊(sha)齒(chi)(chi)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)(ya)(ya)科(ke)(ke)(ke)恐龍(long)(long)(long)(long),并將(jiang)南(nan)(nan)方(fang)(fang)巨(ju)(ju)(ju)獸(shou)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)、馬(ma)普(pu)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)、魁(kui)紂龍(long)(long)(long)(long)分(fen)入該族,并且將(jiang)南(nan)(nan)方(fang)(fang)巨(ju)(ju)(ju)獸(shou)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)(ya)(ya)科(ke)(ke)(ke)歸入鯊(sha)齒(chi)(chi)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)(ya)(ya)科(ke)(ke)(ke)之中,代(dai)表著鯊(sha)齒(chi)(chi)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)、馬(ma)普(pu)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)、南(nan)(nan)方(fang)(fang)巨(ju)(ju)(ju)獸(shou)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)、魁(kui)紂龍(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)親緣(yuan)(yuan)十(shi)分(fen)接(jie)近(jin),并構成了(le)一個血(xue)緣(yuan)(yuan)關(guan)系很接(jie)近(jin)的(de)(de)(de)演(yan)化支(zhi)。
古生物(wu)學(xue)(xue)家羅多爾夫(fu)·科里(li)亞否定他之(zhi)前所(suo)提出的假說,他在一個會議上提出這個化石集(ji)合(he)處,直接顯示了(le)馬普龍(long)會以(yi)群體(ti)團結合(he)作(zuo)的方式(shi)獵食,共(gong)同圍捕大(da)型獵物(wu),例如巨大(da)的蜥腳類恐(kong)龍(long)。這骨床是除(chu)了(le)異特龍(long)以(yi)外的大(da)型獸(shou)腳類恐(kong)龍(long)群體(ti)獵食的第一個大(da)量證據。但(dan)有(you)少(shao)數科學(xue)(xue)家表示,他們仍不肯定馬普龍(long)是以(yi)有(you)組織的群體(ti)合(he)作(zuo)方式(shi)獵食,還(huan)是以(yi)隨(sui)機聚集(ji)的方式(shi)獵食。但(dan)絕大(da)多數的研究(jiu)人員(yuan)都同意(yi)前者(zhe),并認(ren)為馬普龍(long)很(hen)可能(neng)時(shi)常過(guo)著群居生活,一起合(he)作(zuo)捕食。
馬(ma)普(pu)龍的屬名(ming)為Mapusaurus,其中(zhong)(zhong)"Mapu"來自于馬(ma)普(pu)切人(ren)的字(zi)詞,意(yi)為"陸地的"或"大(da)地的",而"sauros"在(zai)希(xi)臘(la)文中(zhong)(zhong)意(yi)為"蜥蜴(yi)"。模式種為玫瑰(gui)馬(ma)普(pu)龍(Mapusaurus roseae),是以化石(shi)所發現的玫瑰(gui)色巖石(shi)為名(ming)。
科里(li)亞(ya)與(yu)柯(ke)爾(er)在2006年將(jiang)馬普龍鑒(jian)定為(wei)一種獸腳亞(ya)目鯊齒(chi)龍科恐龍,與(yu)南(nan)方巨獸龍的(de)(de)(de)差異為(wei)頭顱(lu)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)有厚(hou)、多皺紋、未固定的(de)(de)(de)鼻骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu),鼻骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)與(yu)上(shang)顎(e)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)和淚(lei)(lei)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)(de)接合處前(qian)段較(jiao)狹窄(zhai);眶(kuang)前(qian)窩在上(shang)顎(e)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)之上(shang)有較(jiao)大的(de)(de)(de)延伸;較(jiao)小的(de)(de)(de)上(shang)顎(e)孔;眶(kuang)前(qian)孔與(yu)上(shang)顎(e)孔之間有較(jiao)寬(kuan)的(de)(de)(de)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)棒;位置較(jiao)低、較(jiao)平坦的(de)(de)(de)淚(lei)(lei)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)角;額(e)前(qian)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)橫(heng)切面(mian)與(yu)淚(lei)(lei)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)寬(kuan)度相比較(jiao)寬(kuan);眼瞼(jian)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)腹側(ce)面(mian)往后(hou)緣(yuan)彎曲;較(jiao)淺的(de)(de)(de)齒(chi)間骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)板;美(mei)克耳(er)氏館的(de)(de)(de)位置較(jiao)高;齒(chi)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)后(hou)腹側(ce)緣(yuan)更往后(hou)傾斜。
玫(mei)瑰馬普(pu)龍的(de)獨特處在于:顴(quan)骨(gu)的(de)上(shang)方(fang)顴(quan)骨(gu)突(tu)分裂(lie)成兩叉(cha)、下顎舌骨(gu)的(de)前孔小,位于齒骨(gu)與夾(jia)骨(gu)連(lian)接處上(shang)方(fang)、第二與第三掌骨(gu)固定、肱骨(gu)有(you)較寬的(de)末端(duan),跟(gen)髁狀突(tu)之間有(you)小分隔、腸骨(gu)的(de)短肌窩(wo)往(wang)坐骨(gu)腳延(yan)伸。
主要辨認(ren)要訣(jue):腦袋很長很大(da),前肢很短(duan)小,軀干瘦,眶前孔很大(da),牙齒非常鋒利(li)。
馬(ma)普龍的(de)化石發(fa)現(xian)(xian)于阿根廷(ting)的(de)烏(wu)(wu)因庫爾組(Huincul Formation)。烏(wu)(wu)因庫爾組(Huincul Formation)地層的(de)年(nian)(nian)代(dai)大致為白堊紀中期的(de)森(sen)諾曼階到白堊紀晚期的(de)科(ke)尼亞(ya)克階,距今約(yue)9700萬年(nian)(nian)到8600萬年(nian)(nian)前。蜥(xi)腳(jiao)下目的(de)阿根廷(ting)龍,也(ye)是在烏(wu)(wu)因庫爾組里被發(fa)現(xian)(xian),此外該組發(fa)現(xian)(xian)的(de)還有阿貝力龍科(ke)的(de)食(shi)肉(rou)恐龍肌肉(rou)龍和(he)蝎(xie)獵龍。
馬普龍(long)(long)化石(shi)所處(chu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)年(nian)代,以(yi)前(qian)被(bei)認為來自于(yu)9700萬(wan)年(nian)前(qian)至(zhi)9400萬(wan)年(nian)前(qian)之間森(sen)諾曼階的(de)(de)(de)(de)地層。這也(ye)意味(wei)著,和它們的(de)(de)(de)(de)近親(qin)南(nan)方巨獸龍(long)(long)以(yi)及龐大的(de)(de)(de)(de)阿(a)根廷龍(long)(long)生活(huo)在(zai)同(tong)一時(shi)期(qi)。但在(zai)2013年(nian),其(qi)他科學(xue)家重新(xin)鑒定(ding)馬普龍(long)(long)化石(shi)發現地層的(de)(de)(de)(de)地質年(nian)代,發現馬普龍(long)(long)化石(shi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)年(nian)代其(qi)實應為晚(wan)白(bai)(bai)堊(e)紀時(shi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)科尼亞(ya)克階,約8700萬(wan)年(nian)前(qian)的(de)(de)(de)(de)白(bai)(bai)堊(e)紀晚(wan)期(qi)。馬普龍(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)生存時(shi)代相當晚(wan)期(qi),是(shi)生存時(shi)期(qi)最晚(wan)的(de)(de)(de)(de)已命名的(de)(de)(de)(de)鯊(sha)齒龍(long)(long)科恐龍(long)(long)。