馬普龍是一(yi)(yi)種(zhong)(zhong)大型的(de)獸腳類恐龍,屬于異特龍超科中(zhong)(zhong)的(de)鯊(sha)齒(chi)龍類。馬普龍屬下目(mu)前只有一(yi)(yi)種(zhong)(zhong),玫瑰(gui)馬普龍,生存時代為晚(wan)白堊世的(de)晚(wan)塞諾曼期(qi)至(zhi)早土倫期(qi)。馬普龍的(de)化(hua)石于1997至(zhi)2001年在加拿大-阿根廷聯合科考項(xiang)目(mu)中(zhong)(zhong)被發現(xian)于阿根廷地區的(de)烏因庫爾組(zu)。
屬名(ming)mapu取(qu)(qu)自馬普切語中的(de)(de)單詞意為“大(da)地的(de)(de)”,即“大(da)地的(de)(de)蜥蜴”。種名(ming)取(qu)(qu)自化石發(fa)現地的(de)(de)玫瑰色巖層,同時也是(shi)紀(ji)念聯合科考(kao)的(de)(de)贊助商Rose Letwin。
馬普龍的化(hua)石發(fa)現于一個(ge)包含有(you)多個(ge)個(ge)體的骨床。
正型標本MCF-PVPH-108.1:包含(han)一件右側鼻骨。
馬普龍的(de)(de)(de)鼻(bi)骨(gu)(gu)厚(hou)實且具有(you)氣腔化(hua)的(de)(de)(de)結(jie)構(gou),表面具有(you)粗糙的(de)(de)(de)紋飾。左右(you)側的(de)(de)(de)鼻(bi)骨(gu)(gu)未愈合。鼻(bi)骨(gu)(gu)前(qian)(qian)端(duan)較(jiao)(jiao)后端(duan)更窄(zhai)。眶前(qian)(qian)窩較(jiao)(jiao)南方巨獸(shou)龍更為(wei)寬(kuan)(kuan)大(da)。上(shang)頜(he)孔非常小(xiao),與眶前(qian)(qian)窗之間(jian)存在非常粗的(de)(de)(de)骨(gu)(gu)質間(jian)隔(ge)。淚骨(gu)(gu)前(qian)(qian)突與下(xia)突交界處背(bei)側的(de)(de)(de)骨(gu)(gu)質突起較(jiao)(jiao)南方巨獸(shou)龍要更加低矮。前(qian)(qian)額骨(gu)(gu)在內(nei)外(wai)側向加寬(kuan)(kuan)。齒(chi)間(jian)板較(jiao)(jiao)短且低矮。齒(chi)骨(gu)(gu)內(nei)側麥氏(shi)溝位于更靠近(jin)背(bei)緣的(de)(de)(de)位置。齒(chi)骨(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)(de)前(qian)(qian)腹(fu)側緣更加平滑,向后延(yan)申(shen)的(de)(de)(de)更多。顴骨(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)(de)上(shang)方顴骨(gu)(gu)突分(fen)成(cheng)兩(liang)個(ge)分(fen)支。前(qian)(qian)部下(xia)頜(he)舌骨(gu)(gu)孔很小(xiao),位于齒(chi)骨(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)(de)上(shang)側,與夾板骨(gu)(gu)貼近(jin)。第三和(he)第二掌骨(gu)(gu)愈合。肱(gong)骨(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)(de)遠(yuan)端(duan)較(jiao)(jiao)寬(kuan)(kuan),兩(liang)側的(de)(de)(de)關(guan)(guan)節(jie)髁分(fen)隔(ge)不明顯。尾骨(gu)(gu)短肌附著(zhu)窩非常深,其上(shang)界達到了腸骨(gu)(gu)坐(zuo)(zuo)骨(gu)(gu)柄的(de)(de)(de)背(bei)緣。頸椎(zhui)上(shang)骺呈(cheng)柱狀,略微彎曲,向遠(yuan)端(duan)延(yan)申(shen)的(de)(de)(de)過程中逐漸變(bian)細。樞椎(zhui)的(de)(de)(de)左右(you)后關(guan)(guan)節(jie)突指向內(nei)側。頸椎(zhui)神經棘高聳(song),前(qian)(qian)后向加寬(kuan)(kuan),背(bei)側緣較(jiao)(jiao)為(wei)鋒利。坐(zuo)(zuo)骨(gu)(gu)柄呈(cheng)現出明顯的(de)(de)(de)彎曲。腓骨(gu)(gu)纖(xian)細。
歸入標本MCF-PVPH-108.5:左側的(de)淚(lei)骨和前額(e)骨。
歸入標本MCF-PVPH-108.45:右側肱骨。
歸(gui)入(ru)標本(ben)MCF-PVPH-108.83:樞(shu)椎。
歸入標本MCF-PVPH-108.90:頸椎神經棘。
歸入標本MCF-PVPH-108.115:右側上頜(he)骨(gu)。
歸入標本MCF-PVPH-108.125:左側(ce)齒骨。
歸入標本MCF-PVPH-108.128:左側腸骨(gu)。
歸入標(biao)本MCF-PVPH-108.165:右(you)側腸骨。
歸入標(biao)本MCF-PVPH-108.167:顴骨。
歸入標本MCF-PVPH-108.177:右側眶后(hou)骨。
歸入標本MCF-PVPH-108.179:右側(ce)夾板骨。
歸入標本MCF-PVPH-108.202:右側腓(fei)骨。
馬(ma)(ma)普(pu)(pu)龍(long)無疑(yi)是非常巨大的(de)(de)(de),其體(ti)型與它的(de)(de)(de)近親南(nan)方巨獸(shou)龍(long)相仿(fang)。在對正型標本描述的(de)(de)(de)過(guo)程(cheng)中,研究(jiu)人員發現馬(ma)(ma)普(pu)(pu)龍(long)較(jiao)大的(de)(de)(de)骨骼標本接(jie)近南(nan)方巨獸(shou)龍(long)對應部(bu)位(wei)的(de)(de)(de)標本大小(xiao),于是粗略(lve)的(de)(de)(de)估(gu)計了馬(ma)(ma)普(pu)(pu)龍(long)的(de)(de)(de)體(ti)長大約在12米左右。古生物學家(jia)托馬(ma)(ma)斯.霍(huo)茲在他(ta)的(de)(de)(de)研究(jiu)中估(gu)計馬(ma)(ma)普(pu)(pu)龍(long)的(de)(de)(de)體(ti)型大約在12.6米。而另外一項研究(jiu)則認(ren)為馬(ma)(ma)普(pu)(pu)龍(long)的(de)(de)(de)體(ti)型略(lve)小(xiao)于南(nan)方巨獸(shou)龍(long),體(ti)長約11.5米,重5噸。
發現馬普龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)化石(shi)的(de)(de)烏因庫(ku)爾(er)組整(zheng)體環境(jing)偏干燥(zao),但是會(hui)有季節性(xing)的(de)(de)溪(xi)流出現。與(yu)馬普龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)生(sheng)存在(zai)同(tong)一地區的(de)(de)恐龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)還包括(kuo)屬于泰(tai)坦(tan)巨龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)類(lei)的(de)(de)阿(a)根廷(ting)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)和喬岡龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long),馳龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)類(lei)的(de)(de)鷲(jiu)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long),以及屬于阿(a)貝力龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)類(lei)的(de)(de)蝎獵(lie)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)和肌肉龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)。
馬普龍(long)的(de)多(duo)件標本在(zai)一(yi)個(ge)(ge)骨床里被發(fa)(fa)現(xian),里面至少包(bao)括了7件處(chu)于不同(tong)個(ge)(ge)體(ti)(ti)發(fa)(fa)育階段(duan)的(de)標本。這種不同(tong)年齡段(duan)的(de)個(ge)(ge)體(ti)(ti)在(zai)同(tong)一(yi)地(di)(di)區(qu)被一(yi)同(tong)發(fa)(fa)現(xian)的(de)情(qing)況也見于其它(ta)大(da)(da)型(xing)獸腳(jiao)類(lei)(lei)恐(kong)龍(long),這其中(zhong)包(bao)括馬普龍(long)的(de)遠親異特龍(long),以(yi)及更晚出(chu)現(xian)的(de)大(da)(da)型(xing)暴(bao)龍(long)類(lei)(lei)懼(ju)龍(long)和艾伯塔龍(long)。古生物學家認為多(duo)個(ge)(ge)處(chu)于不同(tong)年齡段(duan)的(de)個(ge)(ge)體(ti)(ti)在(zai)同(tong)一(yi)地(di)(di)區(qu)被發(fa)(fa)現(xian)顯示馬普龍(long)可(ke)能存在(zai)群(qun)體(ti)(ti)狩(shou)獵的(de)行為。群(qun)體(ti)(ti)狩(shou)獵可(ke)以(yi)增(zeng)加狩(shou)獵的(de)成(cheng)功(gong)率,尤其是在(zai)對(dui)付(fu)諸如(ru)(ru)阿根廷龍(long)這樣的(de)大(da)(da)型(xing)獵物的(de)時(shi)候。成(cheng)年阿根廷龍(long)體(ti)(ti)長約40米,猶如(ru)(ru)一(yi)座移動的(de)肉山,即(ji)使是成(cheng)年的(de)馬普龍(long)單獨狩(shou)獵這種巨型(xing)獵物也是十分(fen)危(wei)險的(de)。
目前對于(yu)(yu)馬普龍(long)的(de)系統位(wei)置的(de)主流觀點是屬于(yu)(yu)異特龍(long)超(chao)科的(de)鯊齒龍(long)類,與南方巨獸龍(long)處于(yu)(yu)姐妹群的(de)關系。
馬普龍(long)(long)登(deng)場于(yu)2011年的(de)紀(ji)錄片(pian)《恐(kong)龍(long)(long)星球》。片(pian)中將馬普龍(long)(long)描述為體型巨大(da)的(de)群居掠食者,并合(he)作捕食阿根廷龍(long)(long)。影片(pian)中還提到一種觀點,認為諸如馬普龍(long)(long)這樣的(de)大(da)型異特龍(long)(long)類并不需(xu)要完全(quan)殺死獵(lie)物,只需(xu)從獵(lie)物身上撕下(xia)足(zu)充(chong)饑的(de)肉塊就(jiu)可以了。至于(yu)真(zhen)實情況下(xia)馬普龍(long)(long)是否會群體狩獵(lie),這還需(xu)要更多(duo)的(de)證(zheng)據支(zhi)持(chi)。
2006年(nian),科(ke)(ke)里亞(ya)(ya)與柯(ke)爾的(de)(de)親緣(yuan)(yuan)分(fen)支分(fen)類(lei)法研究顯示馬(ma)普龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)屬于鯊(sha)齒龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)科(ke)(ke),而(er)馬(ma)普龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)股骨上的(de)(de)結構物顯示它們(men)與南(nan)(nan)方巨(ju)獸龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)關(guan)系(xi)較(jiao)(jiao)近(jin),而(er)離鯊(sha)齒龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)較(jiao)(jiao)遠(yuan)。科(ke)(ke)里亞(ya)(ya)與柯(ke)爾根據這層關(guan)系(xi),提出一(yi)個(ge)新的(de)(de)單系(xi)群(qun)分(fen)類(lei),南(nan)(nan)方巨(ju)獸龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)(ya)科(ke)(ke)。該亞(ya)(ya)科(ke)(ke)的(de)(de)定義為(wei):在鯊(sha)齒龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)科(ke)(ke)之(zhi)中,親緣(yuan)(yuan)關(guan)系(xi)較(jiao)(jiao)接近(jin)南(nan)(nan)方巨(ju)獸龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)與馬(ma)普龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long),而(er)離鯊(sha)齒龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)較(jiao)(jiao)遠(yuan)的(de)(de)所有物種。魁(kui)紂龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)暫時被分(fen)類(lei)于南(nan)(nan)方巨(ju)獸龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)(ya)科(ke)(ke),需要(yao)更詳(xiang)細(xi)的(de)(de)敘述才能做更正確的(de)(de)分(fen)類(lei)。經(jing)過(guo)2013年(nian)的(de)(de)重(zhong)新研究,特別是(shi)對魁(kui)紂龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)骨骼的(de)(de)詳(xiang)細(xi)研究,發現魁(kui)紂龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)和南(nan)(nan)方巨(ju)獸龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)以(yi)及(ji)馬(ma)普龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)關(guan)系(xi)更為(wei)接近(jin),而(er)離鯊(sha)齒龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)較(jiao)(jiao)遠(yuan)一(yi)點,隨(sui)后,科(ke)(ke)學界廢除了南(nan)(nan)方巨(ju)獸龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)(ya)科(ke)(ke),建立(li)了南(nan)(nan)方巨(ju)獸龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)族(zu),包括了阿根廷(ting)的(de)(de)巨(ju)型鯊(sha)齒龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)(ya)科(ke)(ke)恐龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long),并(bing)(bing)將南(nan)(nan)方巨(ju)獸龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)、馬(ma)普龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)、魁(kui)紂龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)分(fen)入該族(zu),并(bing)(bing)且將南(nan)(nan)方巨(ju)獸龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)(ya)科(ke)(ke)歸入鯊(sha)齒龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)(ya)科(ke)(ke)之(zhi)中,代(dai)表(biao)著鯊(sha)齒龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)、馬(ma)普龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)、南(nan)(nan)方巨(ju)獸龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)、魁(kui)紂龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)親緣(yuan)(yuan)十分(fen)接近(jin),并(bing)(bing)構成(cheng)了一(yi)個(ge)血(xue)緣(yuan)(yuan)關(guan)系(xi)很接近(jin)的(de)(de)演化支。
古生物(wu)學家羅多爾夫·科里亞否定(ding)他之前(qian)所(suo)提(ti)出的(de)(de)(de)假說,他在(zai)一個(ge)會(hui)議上提(ti)出這(zhe)個(ge)化石集合(he)處,直接顯示了馬普龍(long)(long)(long)會(hui)以(yi)(yi)群(qun)體團結(jie)合(he)作的(de)(de)(de)方式獵(lie)(lie)食(shi),共同圍捕(bu)大(da)型獵(lie)(lie)物(wu),例(li)如巨大(da)的(de)(de)(de)蜥(xi)腳(jiao)類(lei)(lei)恐龍(long)(long)(long)。這(zhe)骨床是除了異特龍(long)(long)(long)以(yi)(yi)外的(de)(de)(de)大(da)型獸腳(jiao)類(lei)(lei)恐龍(long)(long)(long)群(qun)體獵(lie)(lie)食(shi)的(de)(de)(de)第一個(ge)大(da)量(liang)證據。但有少數科學家表示,他們(men)仍不肯定(ding)馬普龍(long)(long)(long)是以(yi)(yi)有組(zu)織的(de)(de)(de)群(qun)體合(he)作方式獵(lie)(lie)食(shi),還是以(yi)(yi)隨(sui)機聚集的(de)(de)(de)方式獵(lie)(lie)食(shi)。但絕大(da)多數的(de)(de)(de)研究(jiu)人員都同意(yi)前(qian)者(zhe),并認為馬普龍(long)(long)(long)很可(ke)能時常(chang)過著群(qun)居生活,一起合(he)作捕(bu)食(shi)。
馬普(pu)龍的(de)(de)屬名(ming)為(wei)Mapusaurus,其中"Mapu"來自于馬普(pu)切(qie)人的(de)(de)字(zi)詞,意為(wei)"陸地(di)的(de)(de)"或"大地(di)的(de)(de)",而(er)"sauros"在希臘文中意為(wei)"蜥蜴"。模式種為(wei)玫瑰(gui)馬普(pu)龍(Mapusaurus roseae),是以化石所發現的(de)(de)玫瑰(gui)色巖石為(wei)名(ming)。
科(ke)里亞與(yu)(yu)柯爾在2006年(nian)將馬普龍(long)鑒定為(wei)一種獸腳(jiao)亞目鯊齒龍(long)科(ke)恐龍(long),與(yu)(yu)南方巨(ju)獸龍(long)的(de)(de)差(cha)異為(wei)頭顱骨(gu)(gu)(gu)有厚(hou)、多皺紋、未固定的(de)(de)鼻(bi)骨(gu)(gu)(gu),鼻(bi)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)與(yu)(yu)上顎骨(gu)(gu)(gu)和淚骨(gu)(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)接合(he)處前(qian)段(duan)較(jiao)(jiao)狹(xia)窄;眶(kuang)前(qian)窩(wo)在上顎骨(gu)(gu)(gu)之上有較(jiao)(jiao)大的(de)(de)延伸;較(jiao)(jiao)小(xiao)的(de)(de)上顎孔;眶(kuang)前(qian)孔與(yu)(yu)上顎孔之間有較(jiao)(jiao)寬(kuan)的(de)(de)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)棒;位(wei)置較(jiao)(jiao)低(di)、較(jiao)(jiao)平坦的(de)(de)淚骨(gu)(gu)(gu)角;額(e)前(qian)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)橫切面(mian)與(yu)(yu)淚骨(gu)(gu)(gu)寬(kuan)度相比較(jiao)(jiao)寬(kuan);眼瞼骨(gu)(gu)(gu)腹側(ce)面(mian)往后(hou)緣彎曲;較(jiao)(jiao)淺的(de)(de)齒間骨(gu)(gu)(gu)板;美克耳(er)氏館的(de)(de)位(wei)置較(jiao)(jiao)高;齒骨(gu)(gu)(gu)后(hou)腹側(ce)緣更往后(hou)傾斜。
玫瑰馬普龍的(de)獨特處在于(yu):顴骨(gu)(gu)的(de)上方(fang)顴骨(gu)(gu)突(tu)分(fen)裂成兩叉、下(xia)顎舌骨(gu)(gu)的(de)前(qian)孔小,位(wei)于(yu)齒骨(gu)(gu)與(yu)夾(jia)骨(gu)(gu)連(lian)接處上方(fang)、第二與(yu)第三掌骨(gu)(gu)固(gu)定、肱骨(gu)(gu)有較寬(kuan)的(de)末端,跟(gen)髁(ke)狀突(tu)之間有小分(fen)隔、腸骨(gu)(gu)的(de)短肌(ji)窩往(wang)坐骨(gu)(gu)腳(jiao)延伸。
主要(yao)辨認(ren)要(yao)訣(jue):腦袋很長很大,前(qian)肢很短小(xiao),軀干瘦,眶前(qian)孔(kong)很大,牙(ya)齒非(fei)常鋒利。
馬普(pu)龍(long)的(de)化石發現(xian)于阿根廷的(de)烏(wu)因庫爾組(zu)(Huincul Formation)。烏(wu)因庫爾組(zu)(Huincul Formation)地層的(de)年代(dai)大致為白堊(e)紀(ji)中期的(de)森諾曼(man)階到白堊(e)紀(ji)晚(wan)期的(de)科尼亞克階,距今約9700萬年到8600萬年前。蜥腳下目的(de)阿根廷龍(long),也是在(zai)烏(wu)因庫爾組(zu)里被發現(xian),此外該組(zu)發現(xian)的(de)還有阿貝力龍(long)科的(de)食肉(rou)恐龍(long)肌(ji)肉(rou)龍(long)和蝎獵龍(long)。
馬(ma)(ma)普(pu)龍(long)(long)(long)化(hua)(hua)石所(suo)處(chu)的(de)(de)年(nian)(nian)(nian)代,以前(qian)被(bei)認為(wei)來自于9700萬(wan)年(nian)(nian)(nian)前(qian)至9400萬(wan)年(nian)(nian)(nian)前(qian)之間森諾曼階的(de)(de)地(di)層(ceng)。這也意味著,和它們的(de)(de)近親南方巨獸龍(long)(long)(long)以及龐大的(de)(de)阿根廷龍(long)(long)(long)生(sheng)(sheng)活(huo)在同一時(shi)期(qi)。但在2013年(nian)(nian)(nian),其他科(ke)(ke)學家重新鑒(jian)定馬(ma)(ma)普(pu)龍(long)(long)(long)化(hua)(hua)石發現(xian)地(di)層(ceng)的(de)(de)地(di)質年(nian)(nian)(nian)代,發現(xian)馬(ma)(ma)普(pu)龍(long)(long)(long)化(hua)(hua)石的(de)(de)年(nian)(nian)(nian)代其實(shi)應為(wei)晚白(bai)堊紀(ji)時(shi)的(de)(de)科(ke)(ke)尼亞(ya)克(ke)階,約8700萬(wan)年(nian)(nian)(nian)前(qian)的(de)(de)白(bai)堊紀(ji)晚期(qi)。馬(ma)(ma)普(pu)龍(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)生(sheng)(sheng)存(cun)時(shi)代相(xiang)當(dang)晚期(qi),是生(sheng)(sheng)存(cun)時(shi)期(qi)最晚的(de)(de)已命(ming)名的(de)(de)鯊齒龍(long)(long)(long)科(ke)(ke)恐龍(long)(long)(long)。