馬(ma)普(pu)(pu)龍是一種(zhong)大型的(de)獸腳(jiao)類(lei)恐(kong)龍,屬(shu)于異特龍超科中(zhong)的(de)鯊(sha)齒龍類(lei)。馬(ma)普(pu)(pu)龍屬(shu)下目前(qian)只有(you)一種(zhong),玫瑰馬(ma)普(pu)(pu)龍,生存時(shi)代為晚白堊(e)世的(de)晚塞諾曼期(qi)至早土(tu)倫期(qi)。馬(ma)普(pu)(pu)龍的(de)化(hua)石于1997至2001年在加拿大-阿(a)根(gen)(gen)廷聯合科考項目中(zhong)被發現于阿(a)根(gen)(gen)廷地區的(de)烏(wu)因庫爾組。
屬名mapu取(qu)(qu)自馬普(pu)切(qie)語中的(de)單詞意為(wei)“大地(di)的(de)”,即“大地(di)的(de)蜥蜴(yi)”。種名取(qu)(qu)自化石發現地(di)的(de)玫瑰色巖層(ceng),同時(shi)也(ye)是(shi)紀(ji)念(nian)聯合科考的(de)贊助商Rose Letwin。
馬(ma)普龍的化石發(fa)現于一個包(bao)含有多個個體(ti)的骨床。
正型標本MCF-PVPH-108.1:包(bao)含(han)一件(jian)右側鼻骨。
馬普(pu)龍(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)鼻骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)厚實且具(ju)有氣腔化的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)結構,表面具(ju)有粗糙的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)紋飾(shi)。左右側(ce)(ce)(ce)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)鼻骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)未愈合。鼻骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)前端較后端更(geng)窄(zhai)。眶前窩較南(nan)方(fang)巨(ju)獸龍(long)更(geng)為(wei)寬大。上(shang)頜孔非(fei)常(chang)小,與眶前窗之間(jian)存在非(fei)常(chang)粗的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)質間(jian)隔。淚骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)前突與下突交界處(chu)背(bei)側(ce)(ce)(ce)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)質突起較南(nan)方(fang)巨(ju)獸龍(long)要更(geng)加低(di)(di)矮。前額(e)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)在內(nei)外側(ce)(ce)(ce)向加寬。齒(chi)間(jian)板(ban)(ban)較短(duan)且低(di)(di)矮。齒(chi)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)內(nei)側(ce)(ce)(ce)麥氏(shi)溝(gou)位于更(geng)靠近背(bei)緣的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)位置。齒(chi)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)前腹側(ce)(ce)(ce)緣更(geng)加平滑,向后延申(shen)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)更(geng)多。顴骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)上(shang)方(fang)顴骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)突分成兩(liang)個分支。前部(bu)下頜舌骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)孔很小,位于齒(chi)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)上(shang)側(ce)(ce)(ce),與夾板(ban)(ban)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)貼近。第三和第二掌骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)愈合。肱骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)遠(yuan)端較寬,兩(liang)側(ce)(ce)(ce)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)關(guan)節(jie)髁分隔不明顯。尾骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)短(duan)肌附(fu)著窩非(fei)常(chang)深,其上(shang)界達到(dao)了腸骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)坐骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)柄的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)背(bei)緣。頸(jing)椎上(shang)骺(hou)呈柱狀,略微彎曲,向遠(yuan)端延申(shen)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)過程中逐(zhu)漸變(bian)細。樞椎的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)左右后關(guan)節(jie)突指向內(nei)側(ce)(ce)(ce)。頸(jing)椎神經(jing)棘高聳,前后向加寬,背(bei)側(ce)(ce)(ce)緣較為(wei)鋒利。坐骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)柄呈現出明顯的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)彎曲。腓骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)纖細。
歸(gui)入標本MCF-PVPH-108.5:左(zuo)側(ce)的淚骨(gu)和前額骨(gu)。
歸入標本(ben)MCF-PVPH-108.45:右側肱骨。
歸入標本MCF-PVPH-108.83:樞椎。
歸入(ru)標本MCF-PVPH-108.90:頸椎(zhui)神經棘。
歸(gui)入標(biao)本MCF-PVPH-108.115:右(you)側上頜(he)骨(gu)。
歸(gui)入標本MCF-PVPH-108.125:左側齒(chi)骨。
歸(gui)入標本(ben)MCF-PVPH-108.128:左側腸骨。
歸入標本MCF-PVPH-108.165:右側腸骨。
歸入標本MCF-PVPH-108.167:顴骨。
歸入標本MCF-PVPH-108.177:右側眶后骨。
歸入(ru)標本MCF-PVPH-108.179:右側夾板骨。
歸入標(biao)本MCF-PVPH-108.202:右側腓骨。
馬普(pu)龍無(wu)疑是非常巨(ju)大的(de)(de)(de)(de),其體(ti)型(xing)(xing)與它的(de)(de)(de)(de)近親南方巨(ju)獸(shou)龍相仿。在(zai)對(dui)正型(xing)(xing)標(biao)本(ben)描述(shu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)過(guo)程中,研(yan)究人員發現馬普(pu)龍較大的(de)(de)(de)(de)骨骼標(biao)本(ben)接近南方巨(ju)獸(shou)龍對(dui)應部位的(de)(de)(de)(de)標(biao)本(ben)大小,于(yu)是粗略的(de)(de)(de)(de)估(gu)計(ji)了馬普(pu)龍的(de)(de)(de)(de)體(ti)長(chang)(chang)大約在(zai)12米左右(you)。古生(sheng)物(wu)學家托(tuo)馬斯.霍(huo)茲在(zai)他的(de)(de)(de)(de)研(yan)究中估(gu)計(ji)馬普(pu)龍的(de)(de)(de)(de)體(ti)型(xing)(xing)大約在(zai)12.6米。而另外一(yi)項研(yan)究則認為馬普(pu)龍的(de)(de)(de)(de)體(ti)型(xing)(xing)略小于(yu)南方巨(ju)獸(shou)龍,體(ti)長(chang)(chang)約11.5米,重(zhong)5噸。
發現(xian)馬(ma)普(pu)龍(long)(long)化石(shi)的烏因庫爾組整體環境(jing)偏干燥,但是會有季(ji)節性的溪(xi)流出現(xian)。與馬(ma)普(pu)龍(long)(long)生存(cun)在同一地區的恐龍(long)(long)還(huan)包(bao)括屬于(yu)泰坦巨(ju)龍(long)(long)類的阿(a)根(gen)廷(ting)龍(long)(long)和喬岡龍(long)(long),馳龍(long)(long)類的鷲龍(long)(long),以(yi)及(ji)屬于(yu)阿(a)貝(bei)力龍(long)(long)類的蝎獵龍(long)(long)和肌肉龍(long)(long)。
馬普龍(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)多(duo)件標(biao)本在(zai)一(yi)個骨床里被(bei)發現(xian),里面至少(shao)包括了7件處于(yu)不(bu)(bu)同(tong)個體(ti)(ti)發育階段(duan)的(de)(de)(de)(de)標(biao)本。這(zhe)(zhe)種不(bu)(bu)同(tong)年齡(ling)段(duan)的(de)(de)(de)(de)個體(ti)(ti)在(zai)同(tong)一(yi)地區被(bei)一(yi)同(tong)發現(xian)的(de)(de)(de)(de)情況也(ye)(ye)見于(yu)其它大型(xing)(xing)獸腳類恐龍(long)(long),這(zhe)(zhe)其中包括馬普龍(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)遠(yuan)親異特龍(long)(long),以(yi)及更晚出現(xian)的(de)(de)(de)(de)大型(xing)(xing)暴龍(long)(long)類懼龍(long)(long)和艾伯塔龍(long)(long)。古生物(wu)學家認為(wei)多(duo)個處于(yu)不(bu)(bu)同(tong)年齡(ling)段(duan)的(de)(de)(de)(de)個體(ti)(ti)在(zai)同(tong)一(yi)地區被(bei)發現(xian)顯示馬普龍(long)(long)可能存在(zai)群體(ti)(ti)狩(shou)獵(lie)的(de)(de)(de)(de)行為(wei)。群體(ti)(ti)狩(shou)獵(lie)可以(yi)增加狩(shou)獵(lie)的(de)(de)(de)(de)成(cheng)功率,尤其是在(zai)對付(fu)諸如(ru)阿根(gen)廷(ting)龍(long)(long)這(zhe)(zhe)樣的(de)(de)(de)(de)大型(xing)(xing)獵(lie)物(wu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)時(shi)候。成(cheng)年阿根(gen)廷(ting)龍(long)(long)體(ti)(ti)長約(yue)40米,猶如(ru)一(yi)座移動(dong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)肉山(shan),即使是成(cheng)年的(de)(de)(de)(de)馬普龍(long)(long)單獨狩(shou)獵(lie)這(zhe)(zhe)種巨型(xing)(xing)獵(lie)物(wu)也(ye)(ye)是十分危險的(de)(de)(de)(de)。
目前對于(yu)馬普龍的(de)(de)系統位置(zhi)的(de)(de)主流觀點是屬于(yu)異特龍超(chao)科的(de)(de)鯊齒龍類,與南方巨獸(shou)龍處于(yu)姐妹群的(de)(de)關系。
馬普龍登(deng)場于2011年的(de)(de)紀(ji)錄片(pian)《恐龍星球》。片(pian)中將馬普龍描述(shu)為(wei)體(ti)型巨大的(de)(de)群居掠食(shi)者,并合作捕(bu)食(shi)阿根廷龍。影(ying)片(pian)中還提到一種觀點,認為(wei)諸如馬普龍這樣的(de)(de)大型異特龍類(lei)并不需要完全殺死獵(lie)物,只需從獵(lie)物身上撕下(xia)足(zu)充饑的(de)(de)肉塊就可以了。至于真實情(qing)況下(xia)馬普龍是(shi)否(fou)會群體(ti)狩獵(lie),這還需要更多(duo)的(de)(de)證(zheng)據(ju)支(zhi)持。
2006年,科(ke)(ke)里亞(ya)與(yu)柯爾(er)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)親(qin)緣分支分類(lei)法研(yan)究顯(xian)示(shi)(shi)馬普(pu)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)屬于鯊(sha)齒(chi)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)科(ke)(ke),而馬普(pu)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)股骨上(shang)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)結構(gou)物顯(xian)示(shi)(shi)它(ta)們與(yu)南(nan)(nan)方巨(ju)(ju)(ju)獸(shou)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)關系(xi)(xi)較(jiao)(jiao)近(jin)(jin),而離鯊(sha)齒(chi)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)較(jiao)(jiao)遠(yuan)(yuan)。科(ke)(ke)里亞(ya)與(yu)柯爾(er)根(gen)據這層關系(xi)(xi),提出(chu)一(yi)(yi)個(ge)新的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)單(dan)系(xi)(xi)群分類(lei),南(nan)(nan)方巨(ju)(ju)(ju)獸(shou)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)科(ke)(ke)。該亞(ya)科(ke)(ke)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)定義為(wei):在(zai)鯊(sha)齒(chi)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)科(ke)(ke)之(zhi)中,親(qin)緣關系(xi)(xi)較(jiao)(jiao)接近(jin)(jin)南(nan)(nan)方巨(ju)(ju)(ju)獸(shou)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)與(yu)馬普(pu)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long),而離鯊(sha)齒(chi)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)較(jiao)(jiao)遠(yuan)(yuan)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)所有物種。魁(kui)紂(zhou)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)暫時(shi)被分類(lei)于南(nan)(nan)方巨(ju)(ju)(ju)獸(shou)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)科(ke)(ke),需(xu)要更(geng)詳細(xi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)敘述才能做(zuo)更(geng)正確(que)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)分類(lei)。經過2013年的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)重新研(yan)究,特別是對魁(kui)紂(zhou)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)骨骼的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)詳細(xi)研(yan)究,發現魁(kui)紂(zhou)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)和南(nan)(nan)方巨(ju)(ju)(ju)獸(shou)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)以及馬普(pu)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)關系(xi)(xi)更(geng)為(wei)接近(jin)(jin),而離鯊(sha)齒(chi)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)較(jiao)(jiao)遠(yuan)(yuan)一(yi)(yi)點,隨后,科(ke)(ke)學界(jie)廢除了南(nan)(nan)方巨(ju)(ju)(ju)獸(shou)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)科(ke)(ke),建立了南(nan)(nan)方巨(ju)(ju)(ju)獸(shou)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)族(zu),包括了阿根(gen)廷的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)巨(ju)(ju)(ju)型鯊(sha)齒(chi)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)科(ke)(ke)恐龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long),并(bing)將南(nan)(nan)方巨(ju)(ju)(ju)獸(shou)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)、馬普(pu)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)、魁(kui)紂(zhou)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)分入該族(zu),并(bing)且將南(nan)(nan)方巨(ju)(ju)(ju)獸(shou)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)科(ke)(ke)歸入鯊(sha)齒(chi)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)科(ke)(ke)之(zhi)中,代(dai)表(biao)著鯊(sha)齒(chi)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)、馬普(pu)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)、南(nan)(nan)方巨(ju)(ju)(ju)獸(shou)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)、魁(kui)紂(zhou)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)親(qin)緣十分接近(jin)(jin),并(bing)構(gou)成了一(yi)(yi)個(ge)血緣關系(xi)(xi)很接近(jin)(jin)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)演化支。
古生物學家羅多爾夫·科里(li)亞否定他(ta)之前所提出的假說,他(ta)在一個會議上提出這個化(hua)石集合處(chu),直接顯示了(le)馬(ma)普(pu)(pu)龍(long)會以(yi)群體團結合作(zuo)的方式(shi)獵食(shi),共同圍(wei)捕大(da)型(xing)獵物,例如巨大(da)的蜥(xi)腳類(lei)恐龍(long)。這骨床是除了(le)異(yi)特龍(long)以(yi)外的大(da)型(xing)獸腳類(lei)恐龍(long)群體獵食(shi)的第一個大(da)量證據。但有少數科學家表示,他(ta)們仍不肯(ken)定馬(ma)普(pu)(pu)龍(long)是以(yi)有組織的群體合作(zuo)方式(shi)獵食(shi),還是以(yi)隨機聚集的方式(shi)獵食(shi)。但絕大(da)多數的研究人(ren)員都同意前者,并認(ren)為馬(ma)普(pu)(pu)龍(long)很可能時常過著群居生活(huo),一起合作(zuo)捕食(shi)。
馬(ma)普(pu)龍(long)(long)的(de)屬名(ming)為(wei)Mapusaurus,其(qi)中(zhong)(zhong)"Mapu"來自于馬(ma)普(pu)切人(ren)的(de)字詞,意為(wei)"陸地(di)的(de)"或"大地(di)的(de)",而"sauros"在(zai)希臘文中(zhong)(zhong)意為(wei)"蜥(xi)蜴"。模式種為(wei)玫瑰馬(ma)普(pu)龍(long)(long)(Mapusaurus roseae),是(shi)以化石所發現(xian)的(de)玫瑰色巖石為(wei)名(ming)。
科里亞與(yu)柯爾(er)在2006年將(jiang)馬普龍(long)鑒定為(wei)一種(zhong)獸腳亞目鯊齒龍(long)科恐龍(long),與(yu)南(nan)方(fang)巨(ju)獸龍(long)的差(cha)異為(wei)頭(tou)顱骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)有厚、多皺紋(wen)、未(wei)固(gu)定的鼻(bi)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu),鼻(bi)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)與(yu)上(shang)(shang)顎(e)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)和淚(lei)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)的接合處前(qian)(qian)段較(jiao)(jiao)狹窄;眶前(qian)(qian)窩(wo)在上(shang)(shang)顎(e)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)之上(shang)(shang)有較(jiao)(jiao)大的延(yan)伸;較(jiao)(jiao)小(xiao)的上(shang)(shang)顎(e)孔(kong);眶前(qian)(qian)孔(kong)與(yu)上(shang)(shang)顎(e)孔(kong)之間有較(jiao)(jiao)寬的骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)棒;位置較(jiao)(jiao)低、較(jiao)(jiao)平坦的淚(lei)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)角(jiao);額前(qian)(qian)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)橫(heng)切(qie)面與(yu)淚(lei)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)寬度相比較(jiao)(jiao)寬;眼瞼(jian)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)腹(fu)(fu)側(ce)面往后(hou)緣彎曲;較(jiao)(jiao)淺的齒間骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)板;美克耳氏館的位置較(jiao)(jiao)高(gao);齒骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)后(hou)腹(fu)(fu)側(ce)緣更往后(hou)傾斜。
玫(mei)瑰馬普龍的(de)(de)獨特處在于:顴骨(gu)的(de)(de)上方顴骨(gu)突分裂成兩叉、下顎舌骨(gu)的(de)(de)前孔小,位于齒骨(gu)與(yu)(yu)夾骨(gu)連接處上方、第二與(yu)(yu)第三掌(zhang)骨(gu)固定、肱(gong)骨(gu)有較寬的(de)(de)末端,跟髁狀突之間有小分隔、腸(chang)骨(gu)的(de)(de)短(duan)肌窩往(wang)坐骨(gu)腳延伸(shen)。
主要(yao)辨認要(yao)訣:腦袋很(hen)長很(hen)大,前肢(zhi)很(hen)短小,軀干瘦,眶前孔很(hen)大,牙齒(chi)非常鋒(feng)利(li)。
馬(ma)普(pu)龍的化石(shi)發現(xian)于(yu)阿根廷的烏(wu)因(yin)庫(ku)爾(er)組(Huincul Formation)。烏(wu)因(yin)庫(ku)爾(er)組(Huincul Formation)地層(ceng)的年(nian)代大致(zhi)為白堊紀(ji)中期的森(sen)諾曼階到白堊紀(ji)晚(wan)期的科尼亞克階,距(ju)今約9700萬年(nian)到8600萬年(nian)前。蜥腳下目的阿根廷龍,也是(shi)在烏(wu)因(yin)庫(ku)爾(er)組里被發現(xian),此(ci)外該(gai)組發現(xian)的還(huan)有(you)阿貝力(li)龍科的食(shi)肉恐龍肌肉龍和蝎獵龍。
馬普(pu)(pu)龍(long)(long)化石(shi)所處的(de)(de)(de)年代(dai)(dai),以(yi)前(qian)被認為來自于9700萬(wan)年前(qian)至9400萬(wan)年前(qian)之(zhi)間森諾曼(man)階(jie)的(de)(de)(de)地(di)層。這也意味著,和(he)它們的(de)(de)(de)近親南方(fang)巨獸龍(long)(long)以(yi)及龐大(da)的(de)(de)(de)阿(a)根廷龍(long)(long)生(sheng)活在(zai)同(tong)一(yi)時期(qi)(qi)。但在(zai)2013年,其(qi)他科學家重新(xin)鑒定馬普(pu)(pu)龍(long)(long)化石(shi)發(fa)現地(di)層的(de)(de)(de)地(di)質年代(dai)(dai),發(fa)現馬普(pu)(pu)龍(long)(long)化石(shi)的(de)(de)(de)年代(dai)(dai)其(qi)實應為晚(wan)白堊紀時的(de)(de)(de)科尼亞克階(jie),約8700萬(wan)年前(qian)的(de)(de)(de)白堊紀晚(wan)期(qi)(qi)。馬普(pu)(pu)龍(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)生(sheng)存時代(dai)(dai)相當晚(wan)期(qi)(qi),是生(sheng)存時期(qi)(qi)最(zui)晚(wan)的(de)(de)(de)已命名的(de)(de)(de)鯊齒龍(long)(long)科恐龍(long)(long)。