特(te)(te)暴龍(long)是發(fa)(fa)現于亞(ya)洲(zhou)地(di)區(qu)的(de)大型(xing)暴龍(long)類,在外(wai)形上與(yu)北(bei)美洲(zhou)的(de)霸王(wang)龍(long)非(fei)常(chang)相似,是當(dang)時生態系統中(zhong)的(de)頂(ding)級(ji)捕食(shi)者。特(te)(te)暴龍(long)的(de)體(ti)(ti)型(xing)比霸王(wang)龍(long)和諸城暴龍(long)略小,但(dan)明(ming)顯大于其它的(de)暴龍(long)類,其頭(tou)骨的(de)最大長(chang)度(du)可達1.3米。特(te)(te)暴龍(long)的(de)化石(shi)主要發(fa)(fa)現于蒙(meng)古(gu),但(dan)是也有一些(xie)證據(ju)表明(ming)這種(zhong)(zhong)巨(ju)型(xing)掠食(shi)者在中(zhong)國的(de)內蒙(meng)古(gu)以及新(xin)疆等地(di)區(qu)都(dou)有分布。如同它在北(bei)美洲(zhou)的(de)近親一樣,特(te)(te)暴龍(long)的(de)標本(ben)量也非(fei)常(chang)巨(ju)大。截止到目前(qian)為止,古(gu)生物(wu)學(xue)家至少(shao)已經找到了約30個(ge)特(te)(te)暴龍(long)個(ge)體(ti)(ti)的(de)標本(ben),這其中(zhong)不乏保存精美的(de)頭(tou)骨化石(shi)。在亞(ya)洲(zhou)恐龍(long)古(gu)生物(wu)學(xue)發(fa)(fa)展的(de)早期階段,特(te)(te)暴龍(long)不同發(fa)(fa)育階段的(de)個(ge)體(ti)(ti)曾經被當(dang)成過(guo)不同的(de)物(wu)種(zhong)(zhong),不過(guo)在近期的(de)研(yan)究中(zhong)這些(xie)錯(cuo)誤都(dou)被一一糾(jiu)正(zheng)。
特(te)(te)暴(bao)(bao)龍(long)的(de)(de)屬名意(yi)為(wei)“可怕的(de)(de)蜥蜴(yi)”,種(zhong)名意(yi)為(wei)“勇士”。特(te)(te)暴(bao)(bao)龍(long)的(de)(de)正型標本(ben)最(zui)初并(bing)沒有被歸(gui)入(ru)到(dao)特(te)(te)暴(bao)(bao)龍(long)屬,而是被歸(gui)入(ru)到(dao)暴(bao)(bao)龍(long)屬,并(bing)命名為(wei)“Tyrannosaurus bataar”,另外(wai)三個早期的(de)(de)歸(gui)入(ru)標本(ben)中(zhong)有兩個被歸(gui)入(ru)了蛇發女怪(guai)龍(long)屬。直(zhi)到(dao)1965年蘇聯古生物學(xue)家阿納托利(li)·康斯(si)(si)坦丁諾(nuo)維(wei)奇(qi)·羅特(te)(te)杰斯(si)(si)特(te)(te)文(wen)斯(si)(si)基才(cai)發現(xian)馬列夫(fu)命名的(de)(de)這4件標本(ben)是同一(yi)物種(zhong)不同發育階段的(de)(de)個體,隨(sui)后它們(men)才(cai)被并(bing)入(ru)勇士特(te)(te)暴(bao)(bao)龍(long)。
正(zheng)型(xing)標本:PIN 551-1保存了一部分頭骨和頸(jing)椎(zhui)。最早被(bei)歸(gui)入(ru)暴(bao)龍屬,后(hou)歸(gui)入(ru)特暴(bao)龍屬。
此外蘭平暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(Tyrannosaurus lanpingensis),吐魯(lu)番暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(Tyrannosaurus turpanensis),Albertosaurus periculosus目前都被(bei)認為是屬于勇士特暴(bao)龍(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)不同個(ge)(ge)體發育階段。除此之外,在蒙古發現的(de)(de)(de)分支(zhi)龍(long)(long)曾經也被(bei)懷疑(yi)過是特暴(bao)龍(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)幼年個(ge)(ge)體,不過近年來由于虔州龍(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)發現,分支(zhi)龍(long)(long)類的(de)(de)(de)有效性已經被(bei)學術界所接受。
特暴(bao)龍(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)頭(tou)骨(gu)側視(shi)(shi)與霸(ba)王(wang)龍(long)非常相(xiang)似。兩(liang)者都(dou)具(ju)有(you)(you)背腹向加(jia)深的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)頭(tou)骨(gu),且具(ju)有(you)(you)粗(cu)壯的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)下頜(he)。從(cong)背視(shi)(shi)可以(yi)看出(chu)兩(liang)種恐龍(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)頭(tou)骨(gu)整體輪廓的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)差異,霸(ba)王(wang)龍(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)后(hou)端(duan)向外(wai)側極度的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)擴展,使得雙眼視(shi)(shi)覺范(fan)圍具(ju)有(you)(you)較大的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)重疊(die)。雖然特暴(bao)龍(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)頭(tou)骨(gu)后(hou)端(duan)也有(you)(you)一(yi)定程度的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)向外(wai)擴展,但是(shi)與霸(ba)王(wang)龍(long)有(you)(you)較大的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)差距(ju)。同時特暴(bao)龍(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)吻端(duan)明顯比霸(ba)王(wang)龍(long)更窄。霸(ba)王(wang)龍(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)前(qian)頜(he)骨(gu)和上(shang)(shang)頜(he)骨(gu)相(xiang)接的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)骨(gu)縫上(shang)(shang)有(you)(you)一(yi)個明顯的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)開孔(kong)(kong)暴(bao)露(lu)在(zai)頭(tou)骨(gu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)外(wai)側面(mian),而(er)這一(yi)開孔(kong)(kong)在(zai)特暴(bao)龍(long)頭(tou)骨(gu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)外(wai)側面(mian)幾乎(hu)沒有(you)(you)。
特暴龍的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)上(shang)頜骨(gu)(gu)升突粗狀發(fa)達(da),霸王(wang)(wang)龍的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)較為纖細(xi)。兩(liang)種恐龍的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)鼻(bi)(bi)骨(gu)(gu)腹外(wai)側緣都具有與(yu)上(shang)頜骨(gu)(gu)相關節的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)溝,并幾乎前后向延伸至鼻(bi)(bi)骨(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)整個(ge)長度。但特暴龍的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)關節面具有很多脊,使鼻(bi)(bi)骨(gu)(gu)與(yu)上(shang)頜骨(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)關節更緊密,而霸王(wang)(wang)龍的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)鼻(bi)(bi)骨(gu)(gu)上(shang)頜骨(gu)(gu)關節更簡(jian)(jian)單(dan)(dan)。相反的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)是,霸王(wang)(wang)龍的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)鼻(bi)(bi)骨(gu)(gu)與(yu)淚(lei)骨(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)關節十分復雜(za)且非常(chang)緊密,而特暴龍的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)鼻(bi)(bi)骨(gu)(gu)與(yu)淚(lei)骨(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)關節則較為簡(jian)(jian)單(dan)(dan)。此外(wai),霸王(wang)(wang)龍的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)鼻(bi)(bi)骨(gu)(gu)比特暴龍的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)更加寬(kuan)大(da)。
霸王(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)淚骨(gu)(gu)背緣較特暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)有更明顯的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)膨大。特暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)淚骨(gu)(gu)降(jiang)支較為(wei)中(zhong)空,而霸王(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)淚骨(gu)(gu)降(jiang)支幾(ji)乎是實心(xin)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)。特暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)淚骨(gu)(gu)前(qian)突與霸王(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)相比更為(wei)細長,且前(qian)突關節(jie)面沒(mei)有分支。霸王(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)淚骨(gu)(gu)前(qian)突關節(jie)面具有明顯的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)分叉。淚骨(gu)(gu)前(qian)突的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)內側面中(zhong)段具有一(yi)個容納(na)血管的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)開(kai)孔,這一(yi)開(kai)孔在霸王(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)淚骨(gu)(gu)上的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)位置更靠前(qian)。
鱗骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)降支(zhi)與(yu)方顴(quan)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)上(shang)支(zhi)具(ju)(ju)(ju)有(you)(you)很大(da)的(de)(de)(de)(de)接(jie)觸面(mian)積,與(yu)艾伯(bo)塔龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)和(he)蛇發女怪龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)不(bu)(bu)同,而(er)與(yu)霸(ba)王(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)非常相似。在(zai)腹(fu)(fu)側視(shi),特(te)(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)顴(quan)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)不(bu)(bu)如霸(ba)王(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)那樣很明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)顯(xian)的(de)(de)(de)(de)外翻(fan)。特(te)(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)和(he)霸(ba)王(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)顴(quan)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)升突(tu)外側面(mian)都具(ju)(ju)(ju)有(you)(you)一不(bu)(bu)甚明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)顯(xian)的(de)(de)(de)(de)凹(ao)(ao)陷,但(dan)是霸(ba)王(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)這(zhe)一凹(ao)(ao)陷明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)顯(xian)小于特(te)(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)。兩者的(de)(de)(de)(de)顴(quan)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)后突(tu)都具(ju)(ju)(ju)有(you)(you)二分(fen)支(zhi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)結構,區別在(zai)于特(te)(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)顴(quan)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)后突(tu)腹(fu)(fu)側支(zhi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)厚度(du)不(bu)(bu)均(jun)勻,其腹(fu)(fu)緣較厚,向背緣發展(zhan)的(de)(de)(de)(de)過程中逐漸變薄,而(er)霸(ba)王(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)顴(quan)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)后突(tu)腹(fu)(fu)側支(zhi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)厚度(du)更為(wei)(wei)均(jun)一,且(qie)外側面(mian)更為(wei)(wei)明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)顯(xian)的(de)(de)(de)(de)隆起。特(te)(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)方顴(quan)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)柄明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)顯(xian)比(bi)霸(ba)王(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)更加纖弱。霸(ba)王(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)方顴(quan)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)前(qian)突(tu)比(bi)特(te)(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)更為(wei)(wei)寬大(da),能夠覆蓋住(zhu)顴(quan)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)后突(tu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)大(da)部分(fen)面(mian)積,且(qie)內(nei)側面(mian)具(ju)(ju)(ju)有(you)(you)一個很大(da)的(de)(de)(de)(de)凹(ao)(ao)陷。特(te)(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)顎骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)上(shang)的(de)(de)(de)(de)內(nei)鼻(bi)孔(kong)邊(bian)緣發育的(de)(de)(de)(de)很明(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)(ming)顯(xian),而(er)這(zhe)一特(te)(te)(te)征在(zai)霸(ba)王(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)顎骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)上(shang)相對較弱。特(te)(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)外翼骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)上(shang)的(de)(de)(de)(de)氣孔(kong)比(bi)霸(ba)王(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)更小。
特(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)犁骨(gu)前(qian)突(tu)向前(qian)極度(du)延伸,與前(qian)頜(he)骨(gu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)顎突(tu)相接,而這一(yi)(yi)特(te)征(zheng)在霸(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)王(wang)(wang)(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)中不明顯。特(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)和霸(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)王(wang)(wang)(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)翼骨(gu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)最(zui)大區別在于顎骨(gu)關節面的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)前(qian)邊緣。霸(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)王(wang)(wang)(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)翼骨(gu)額骨(gu)突(tu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)前(qian)邊緣是一(yi)(yi)條斜線,而特(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)翼骨(gu)顎骨(gu)突(tu)前(qian)邊緣向前(qian)突(tu)出。特(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)上(shang)(shang)枕(zhen)骨(gu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)內外(wai)向寬度(du)小于枕(zhen)髁(ke),而霸(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)王(wang)(wang)(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)上(shang)(shang)枕(zhen)骨(gu)更寬。從側面看,特(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)齒骨(gu)吻端(duan)比霸(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)王(wang)(wang)(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)更加尖細一(yi)(yi)點。霸(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)王(wang)(wang)(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)夾(jia)板(ban)骨(gu)腹緣相較于特(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)有更大的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)傾(qing)斜角度(du),并且夾(jia)板(ban)骨(gu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)前(qian)端(duan)位于更高的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)位置。特(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)上(shang)(shang)隅骨(gu)孔(kong)較霸(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)王(wang)(wang)(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)要(yao)發達。霸(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)王(wang)(wang)(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)和特(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)成體上(shang)(shang)頜(he)骨(gu)齒和齒骨(gu)齒的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)數量不一(yi)(yi)樣。
歸入(ru)標本:PIN 551-2是(shi)一(yi)具(ju)接(jie)近(jin)完整的(de)(de)骨架(jia)。最早被歸入(ru)到特(te)(te)暴龍屬(shu)的(de)(de)歸入(ru)種埃(ai)夫(fu)雷(lei)莫夫(fu)特(te)(te)暴龍(Tarbosaurus efremovi)。現已歸入(ru)到勇(yong)士(shi)特(te)(te)暴龍,且勇(yong)士(shi)特(te)(te)暴龍是(shi)特(te)(te)暴龍屬(shu)下的(de)(de)唯一(yi)有效種。
歸(gui)入(ru)標(biao)本:PIN 553-1保存了頭骨,背(bei)椎和尾椎,掌骨和跖骨。最開始(shi)被歸(gui)入(ru)到(dao)蛇發女怪(guai)龍(long)屬。現已歸(gui)入(ru)勇士特暴龍(long)。
歸(gui)入(ru)(ru)標(biao)本:PIN 552-2保存了頭(tou)骨和(he)頭(tou)后骨骼。最開始被(bei)歸(gui)入(ru)(ru)到蛇發女怪龍屬。現已歸(gui)入(ru)(ru)勇士(shi)特(te)暴龍。
歸入標本:MPC-D 107/7是(shi)一件幼年的標本,關聯保(bao)存(cun)。除了缺少頸椎,前(qian)部背椎和末端(duan)尾椎,其它(ta)骨(gu)頭(tou)基本都有保(bao)存(cun)。
歸入標本:ZPAL MgD-I/3幾乎完(wan)整的(de)中等體型的(de)個體。保存了頭骨(gu)(gu),頸椎和(he)背椎,10節近端尾(wei)椎,完(wan)整的(de)腸(chang)骨(gu)(gu),恥骨(gu)(gu)和(he)坐骨(gu)(gu),肋骨(gu)(gu)和(he)腹膜肋,完(wan)整的(de)肩(jian)胛(jia)骨(gu)(gu),烏喙骨(gu)(gu),左側的(de)前肢,不完(wan)整保存的(de)右側后肢。
歸入(ru)標本:ZPAL Mgd-I/4部分保(bao)存的大型個(ge)體(ti)。保(bao)存了左側(ce)后肢,腸骨,13節椎體(ti)。
歸入標本:ZPAL Mgd-I/5不完(wan)整(zheng)保(bao)存(cun)的(de)大型骨(gu)(gu)架。保(bao)存(cun)了左側(ce)上(shang)頜(he)骨(gu)(gu),左側(ce)方骨(gu)(gu),左側(ce)的(de)下(xia)頜(he)和右側(ce)的(de)下(xia)頜(he)碎片(pian),11節左側(ce)肋(lei)骨(gu)(gu)的(de)碎片(pian),恥(chi)骨(gu)(gu)碎片(pian),坐骨(gu)(gu),腸骨(gu)(gu)碎片(pian),左側(ce)后肢和右側(ce)跖骨(gu)(gu),和很多(duo)碎屑。
歸(gui)入標本:ZPAL Mgd-I/26不完整保(bao)存的上頜(he)骨和一部分保(bao)存下來的牙(ya)齒(chi)。
歸入標本:ZPAL Mgd-I/29不(bu)完(wan)整(zheng)的(de)大型骨(gu)(gu)(gu)架。保存了頭骨(gu)(gu)(gu)和(he)較為(wei)完(wan)整(zheng)的(de)齒列。頭后(hou)(hou)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)骼保存了6節頸椎(zhui),5節薦椎(zhui),22節尾(wei)椎(zhui),11節右側(ce)肋骨(gu)(gu)(gu),腸骨(gu)(gu)(gu),不(bu)完(wan)整(zheng)的(de)恥(chi)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)和(he)近(jin)端坐骨(gu)(gu)(gu),左側(ce)肱骨(gu)(gu)(gu),尺(chi)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)和(he)橈(rao)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)的(de)遠(yuan)端,第(di)一手指,幾乎完(wan)整(zheng)的(de)右側(ce)后(hou)(hou)肢。
歸(gui)入標本:ZPAL Mgd-I/31右側(ce)上頜骨(gu)的(de)近(jin)端(duan)。
歸入標本:ZPAL Mgd-I/34頭(tou)骨右側的碎片。
歸入標本:ZPAL Mgd-I/38不完全保存的頭骨(gu),12節(jie)肋骨(gu),右(you)側股骨(gu)的遠(yuan)端(duan)。右(you)側脛骨(gu)的遠(yuan)端(duan),右(you)側的3-4跖骨(gu),第4趾(zhi)的近端(duan)趾(zhi)節(jie)骨(gu)。
歸入標本:ZPAL Mgd-I/44頭骨(gu)的右側。
歸入標本:ZPAL Mgd-I/45頭骨碎片。
歸入標本:ZPAL Mgd-I/46右側下頜(he)碎片和其它7塊頭骨碎片,和兩節斷掉的背椎肋骨。
歸入標本:ZPAL Mgd-I/52左側下頜齒(chi)骨。
歸入標(biao)本:ZPAL Mgd-I/67右側顴骨。
歸入標本:ZPAL Mgd-I/93頭骨腦(nao)顱。
歸(gui)入(ru)標本(ben):ZPAL Mgd-I/109大的帶有圍巖(yan)的頭骨。
歸入標本:ZPAL Mgd-I/178頭骨的碎(sui)片,脊(ji)椎骨和股骨。
歸(gui)入標(biao)本:GIN 100/61頭(tou)骨(gu)碎片(pian)和頭(tou)后骨(gu)骼。
歸入標本:GIN 100/62頭骨碎片和頭后骨骼(ge)。
歸入標(biao)本:GIN 100/65頭骨的右(you)半部(bu)分(fen)。
歸入(ru)標本(ben):GIN 100/67頭骨的(de)碎(sui)片(pian),腦顱。
歸入標本:GIN 100/69枕區(qu)。
歸入標本:GIN 100/70頭骨碎(sui)片和(he)椎(zhui)體。
歸(gui)入標本(ben):GIN 107/2完整的骨架(jia)。
歸(gui)入(ru)標(biao)本:GIN 107/3頭骨(gu)。
歸(gui)(gui)入標本:PIN 551-3骨架,保存狀況未描述。最早被歸(gui)(gui)入到特(te)暴龍屬的歸(gui)(gui)入種埃夫雷莫夫特(te)暴龍。現已歸(gui)(gui)入到勇士特(te)暴龍。
歸(gui)入(ru)標本:PIN 551-4骨架(jia),保存(cun)狀況未描述。最早被歸(gui)入(ru)到特(te)暴(bao)龍(long)屬(shu)的歸(gui)入(ru)種埃夫雷莫夫特(te)暴(bao)龍(long)。現已歸(gui)入(ru)到勇士(shi)特(te)暴(bao)龍(long)。
歸(gui)入(ru)標本:PIN 551-91右側上頜(he)骨。最早被歸(gui)入(ru)到特暴龍(long)屬的歸(gui)入(ru)種埃(ai)夫雷莫(mo)夫特暴龍(long)。現已(yi)歸(gui)入(ru)到勇士特暴龍(long)。
歸(gui)入(ru)標本:PIN 552-1目前(qian)僅有(you)復制品保存(cun)。最(zui)早被歸(gui)入(ru)到特暴龍(long)(long)屬的歸(gui)入(ru)種埃夫(fu)雷(lei)莫夫(fu)特暴龍(long)(long)。現已歸(gui)入(ru)到勇士特暴龍(long)(long)。
歸入(ru)標(biao)本(ben):PIN 553-2保存狀(zhuang)況未描述。早被(bei)歸入(ru)到特(te)暴(bao)龍屬的歸入(ru)種(zhong)埃夫雷莫夫特(te)暴(bao)龍。現已(yi)歸入(ru)到勇士特(te)暴(bao)龍。
歸入(ru)標本:IVPP V 4878火焰山鄯善龍(long)(Shanshanosaurus huoyanshanensis)的正型標本,發現于中國新疆,現在認為可能是特暴(bao)龍(long)的幼(you)體。保(bao)存了上頜骨(gu)(gu),下頜大部分骨(gu)(gu)塊,多節頸(jing)椎(zhui)(zhui),背(bei)椎(zhui)(zhui)和薦(jian)椎(zhui)(zhui),肩(jian)帶骨(gu)(gu)骼,肱骨(gu)(gu),恥骨(gu)(gu)遠端,股骨(gu)(gu)和脛骨(gu)(gu)近端。
歸(gui)入(ru)標(biao)(biao)本(ben):IVPP V 4733欒川(chuan)暴(bao)龍(long)(Tyrannosaurus luanchuanensis)的正型標(biao)(biao)本(ben),為5顆(ke)牙齒,現認為也(ye)可能屬(shu)于特暴(bao)龍(long)。
歸入(ru)標(biao)本:IVPP V 836為破碎金剛口(kou)龍(Chingkankousaurus fragilis)的正型標(biao)本,為一(yi)節不完整(zheng)的肩胛骨標(biao)本。布魯薩特(te)等人認為很有(you)可能是特(te)暴(bao)龍,但(dan)不太(tai)確定。
特(te)(te)暴龍(long)同霸(ba)(ba)王(wang)龍(long)一樣,是暴龍(long)超科中最進步的(de)成(cheng)員。大(da)多數的(de)系(xi)統(tong)發(fa)育分(fen)析都支(zhi)持霸(ba)(ba)王(wang)龍(long)和特(te)(te)暴龍(long)構成(cheng)一個姐(jie)妹(mei)群(qun),諸(zhu)城暴龍(long)作為(wei)兩者(zhe)所構成(cheng)單(dan)系(xi)的(de)姐(jie)妹(mei)群(qun)。也(ye)有一些分(fen)析認(ren)為(wei)特(te)(te)暴龍(long)與諸(zhu)城暴龍(long)的(de)親緣關系(xi)更近(jin)。
如果(guo)不考(kao)慮標(biao)本量(liang)很(hen)少且質量(liang)很(hen)差的(de)諸城暴(bao)龍(long)(long),特(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)的(de)體型(xing)基本穩坐(zuo)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)類的(de)第二(er)把交椅。最大(da)(da)的(de)特(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)頭(tou)骨長度達(da)到(dao)1.3米,這一(yi)大(da)(da)小顯著的(de)大(da)(da)于(yu)其它的(de)大(da)(da)型(xing)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)類,并基本達(da)到(dao)了個別霸王龍(long)(long)成年標(biao)本的(de)頭(tou)骨長度。目前最大(da)(da)的(de)特(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)標(biao)本體長是肯定能超過10米的(de)。特(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)的(de)體重(zhong)一(yi)般估計在4噸(dun)左右(you)。
通過(guo)仔(zi)細(xi)對比(bi)霸王龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)及(ji)其(qi)(qi)它(ta)北美(mei)(mei)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)(ya)科成員的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)頭骨(gu)(gu)各個骨(gu)(gu)塊骨(gu)(gu)縫與特(te)(te)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)差異可以發現霸王龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)與特(te)(te)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)頭骨(gu)(gu)具有不(bu)太一樣的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)生物(wu)力(li)學結構(gou)。大型暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)類(lei)都具有毀滅性的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)咬(yao)(yao)合力(li),而(er)它(ta)們的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)頭骨(gu)(gu)也必(bi)須在(zai)撕(si)咬(yao)(yao)獵物(wu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)同(tong)(tong)時承(cheng)受(shou)同(tong)(tong)樣巨(ju)大的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)反(fan)(fan)作(zuo)用力(li)。北美(mei)(mei)洲(zhou)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)(ya)科主要通過(guo)上(shang)頜骨(gu)(gu)-鼻骨(gu)(gu)-淚骨(gu)(gu)-額(e)骨(gu)(gu)/前額(e)骨(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)緊(jin)(jin)密關(guan)(guan)節構(gou)成來承(cheng)受(shou)撕(si)咬(yao)(yao)獵物(wu)過(guo)程中(zhong)產生的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)反(fan)(fan)作(zuo)用力(li)。其(qi)(qi)中(zhong),鼻骨(gu)(gu)與淚骨(gu)(gu)構(gou)成了非(fei)常強(qiang)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)關(guan)(guan)節,且這(zhe)一特(te)(te)征普遍存在(zai)于(yu)北美(mei)(mei)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)大型暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)(ya)科中(zhong)。對于(yu)特(te)(te)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)研究顯示,與北美(mei)(mei)洲(zhou)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)親(qin)戚(qi)們相比(bi),特(te)(te)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)淚骨(gu)(gu)前突向下(xia)偏轉的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)更多,并且擁有比(bi)北美(mei)(mei)洲(zhou)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)類(lei)更為強(qiang)壯的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)上(shang)頜骨(gu)(gu)升突,使(shi)得(de)這(zhe)兩個塊骨(gu)(gu)頭通過(guo)復(fu)雜的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)關(guan)(guan)節面緊(jin)(jin)密關(guan)(guan)節在(zai)一起。同(tong)(tong)時特(te)(te)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)前額(e)骨(gu)(gu)與淚骨(gu)(gu)也有非(fei)常緊(jin)(jin)密的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)關(guan)(guan)節。非(fei)常強(qiang)大的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)上(shang)頜骨(gu)(gu)-淚骨(gu)(gu)關(guan)(guan)節也見于(yu)異特(te)(te)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)和中(zhong)華盜龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)這(zhe)樣的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)大型異特(te)(te)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)類(lei)中(zhong)。
對于異特(te)龍(long)(long)頭骨的(de)(de)有(you)(you)限元分析顯示,異特(te)龍(long)(long)在攻擊獵物時,頭骨的(de)(de)上頜骨-淚骨關(guan)(guan)節(jie)(jie)處會(hui)承受非(fei)常大的(de)(de)反作用力。另外(wai)一點區(qu)別(bie)是,北美洲(zhou)(zhou)的(de)(de)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)類(lei)(lei)(lei)下頜的(de)(de)齒骨和(he)(he)后面的(de)(de)骨塊具(ju)有(you)(you)較為靈(ling)活的(de)(de)關(guan)(guan)節(jie)(jie),使得(de)它們的(de)(de)下頜可以(yi)一定程度(du)的(de)(de)內(nei)外(wai)擴展和(he)(he)收縮,而(er)特(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)沒有(you)(you)這樣的(de)(de)關(guan)(guan)節(jie)(jie),使得(de)它們的(de)(de)下頜更為一體化(hua)。造成(cheng)這些(xie)區(qu)別(bie)的(de)(de)原因主要(yao)是亞洲(zhou)(zhou)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)類(lei)(lei)(lei)和(he)(he)北美洲(zhou)(zhou)的(de)(de)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)類(lei)(lei)(lei)所面對的(de)(de)獵物不太一樣。晚白(bai)堊世(shi)北美洲(zhou)(zhou)的(de)(de)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)類(lei)(lei)(lei)主要(yao)捕(bu)食角龍(long)(long)類(lei)(lei)(lei)和(he)(he)鴨嘴龍(long)(long)類(lei)(lei)(lei),而(er)亞洲(zhou)(zhou)的(de)(de)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)類(lei)(lei)(lei)則有(you)(you)更多的(de)(de)機會(hui)捕(bu)獵大型(xing)蜥腳類(lei)(lei)(lei)恐(kong)龍(long)(long),比如泰坦巨龍(long)(long)類(lei)(lei)(lei)。目前(qian)還未有(you)(you)研究(jiu)使用模型(xing)化(hua)的(de)(de)方法精確(que)計算過特(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)的(de)(de)咬合力,但定性(xing)的(de)(de)比較認為,特(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)與其它大型(xing)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)類(lei)(lei)(lei)一樣擁(yong)有(you)(you)非(fei)常巨大的(de)(de)咬合力。
菲利普.柯瑞等(deng)人在(zai)2003年(nian)的(de)一(yi)(yi)項研究中(zhong)報道了(le)2個可能屬于特暴龍(long)的(de)腳印。這些腳印非常巨大(da),有61厘(li)米長,保存了(le)第三(san)趾(zhi)爪在(zai)地上留下的(de)痕(hen)(hen)(hen)跡。同(tong)時放大(da)觀察腳印還可以看(kan)到(dao)里(li)面(mian)的(de)皮(pi)(pi)(pi)膚(fu)印痕(hen)(hen)(hen)。皮(pi)(pi)(pi)膚(fu)印痕(hen)(hen)(hen)中(zhong)的(de)每個鱗片大(da)約有2毫米寬。另(ling)外一(yi)(yi)件特暴龍(long)的(de)骨架上也發(fa)現了(le)皮(pi)(pi)(pi)膚(fu)印痕(hen)(hen)(hen)。皮(pi)(pi)(pi)膚(fu)印痕(hen)(hen)(hen)保留在(zai)接近(jin)咽喉的(de)位置,鱗片的(de)寬度約為2.4毫米。遺憾的(de)是這件標本已經被破壞,無法對其進行更(geng)深入(ru)的(de)研究。
一(yi)件特(te)(te)(te)(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)標本保存了完(wan)整的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)顱腔。通過制作顱內(nei)模可(ke)以了解特(te)(te)(te)(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)腦(nao)(nao)(nao)結(jie)(jie)構。特(te)(te)(te)(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)腦(nao)(nao)(nao)結(jie)(jie)構與霸王(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)十分(fen)相似,其(qi)主要的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)區別僅存在(zai)于個別腦(nao)(nao)(nao)神(shen)經(jing)(jing)基部的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)位置,如(ru)三叉神(shen)經(jing)(jing)和(he)副神(shen)經(jing)(jing)。一(yi)只12米長的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)特(te)(te)(te)(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)腦(nao)(nao)(nao)體積約為184立方厘米。特(te)(te)(te)(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)和(he)霸王(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)一(yi)樣擁(yong)(yong)有非常大(da)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)嗅(xiu)葉,這說明它們有良好的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)嗅(xiu)覺(jue)(jue)。同時(shi)它們也具(ju)有發達的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)犁鼻器用(yong)于探測荷爾蒙,這說明特(te)(te)(te)(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)可(ke)能擁(yong)(yong)有復雜的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)交配行(xing)為。特(te)(te)(te)(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)聽神(shen)經(jing)(jing)也很發達,說明它們有較好的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)聽力。特(te)(te)(te)(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)中腦(nao)(nao)(nao)頂(ding)部(midbrain tectum)不甚(shen)發達,它的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)動(dong)眼(yan)神(shen)經(jing)(jing)和(he)視(shi)神(shen)經(jing)(jing)也是(shi)如(ru)此(ci)。在(zai)頭骨(gu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)宏觀形態(tai)形態(tai)上(shang),特(te)(te)(te)(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)頭骨(gu)后端向外側擴展的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)較少,其(qi)雙眼(yan)視(shi)覺(jue)(jue)疊(die)加范(fan)圍不如(ru)霸王(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)。因此(ci)特(te)(te)(te)(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)在(zai)生活的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)時(shi)候(hou)對嗅(xiu)覺(jue)(jue)和(he)聽覺(jue)(jue)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)依(yi)賴要遠大(da)于對視(shi)覺(jue)(jue)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)依(yi)賴。
同(tong)北美的(de)(de)(de)(de)大(da)型暴(bao)龍(long)(long)類(lei)一樣,特(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)在(zai)生長發育過程中也伴(ban)隨著(zhu)一系列(lie)的(de)(de)(de)(de)形態變(bian)化(hua)。目前發現的(de)(de)(de)(de)大(da)多數特(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)標本(ben)屬于(yu)亞成(cheng)年個體(ti)(ti)或成(cheng)年個體(ti)(ti),只(zhi)有很少的(de)(de)(de)(de)幼(you)(you)(you)年個體(ti)(ti)。2011年發表(biao)的(de)(de)(de)(de)一件(jian)特(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)幼(you)(you)(you)體(ti)(ti)標本(ben)使得古生物學家(jia)對于(yu)特(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)幼(you)(you)(you)年時期有了更(geng)多了解。這(zhe)只(zhi)幼(you)(you)(you)體(ti)(ti)在(zai)死亡的(de)(de)(de)(de)時候大(da)約只(zhi)有2-3歲。與(yu)(yu)成(cheng)年個體(ti)(ti)相比,幼(you)(you)(you)體(ti)(ti)的(de)(de)(de)(de)頭骨(gu)較(jiao)為脆(cui)弱,牙齒也不(bu)夠(gou)強壯(zhuang),說明(ming)幼(you)(you)(you)體(ti)(ti)的(de)(de)(de)(de)獵物與(yu)(yu)成(cheng)體(ti)(ti)有較(jiao)大(da)的(de)(de)(de)(de)不(bu)同(tong)。與(yu)(yu)霸王(wang)龍(long)(long)和(he)懼龍(long)(long)不(bu)同(tong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)是,這(zhe)件(jian)幼(you)(you)(you)年特(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)標本(ben)的(de)(de)(de)(de)齒骨(gu)齒和(he)上頜骨(gu)齒的(de)(de)(de)(de)數量與(yu)(yu)成(cheng)年個體(ti)(ti)的(de)(de)(de)(de)數量一致,說明(ming)特(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)在(zai)個體(ti)(ti)發育的(de)(de)(de)(de)過程中不(bu)存(cun)在(zai)牙齒數量變(bian)化(hua)的(de)(de)(de)(de)現象。這(zhe)一區(qu)別是否(fou)廣泛存(cun)在(zai)與(yu)(yu)亞洲(zhou)和(he)北美洲(zhou)的(de)(de)(de)(de)其(qi)它暴(bao)龍(long)(long)亞科(ke)物種還需要進(jin)一步(bu)檢驗。對于(yu)幼(you)(you)(you)體(ti)(ti)鞏膜環的(de)(de)(de)(de)研究(jiu)表(biao)明(ming),幼(you)(you)(you)體(ti)(ti)可能具有夜行的(de)(de)(de)(de)習性(xing)。成(cheng)年特(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)是否(fou)具有夜行習性(xing)還需要更(geng)多的(de)(de)(de)(de)化(hua)石證(zheng)據支(zhi)持。
特暴龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)是(shi)其所處生態系統中最大的(de)捕(bu)食者(zhe),與(yu)其共(gong)存的(de)植食性(xing)恐龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)包括(kuo)蜥腳類的(de)耐梅(mei)蓋(gai)特龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)和(he)(he)后凹尾龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long),甲龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)類的(de)美甲龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long),腫(zhong)頭(tou)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)類的(de)傾(qing)頭(tou)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long),鴨嘴(zui)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)類的(de)櫛龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)和(he)(he)巴思缽氏(shi)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long),屬于(yu)(yu)鐮刀(dao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)類的(de)鐮刀(dao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long),屬于(yu)(yu)似(si)鳥龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)類似(si)鵝龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long),似(si)雞龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)和(he)(he)體型(xing)巨大的(de)恐手龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)。肉食性(xing)恐龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)則包括(kuo)同屬于(yu)(yu)暴龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)亞科的(de)分支龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long),屬于(yu)(yu)傷齒(chi)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)類的(de)無聊龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long),鴕鳥龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)和(he)(he)扎納巴扎爾龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long),屬于(yu)(yu)竊蛋龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)類的(de)單足龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long),耐梅(mei)蓋(gai)特母龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)和(he)(he)瑞欽龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)。
特暴龍(long)曾(ceng)登(deng)場(chang)于BBC的紀(ji)錄(lu)片《恐龍(long)兇面目》以及《與龍(long)同行(xing)特輯:尋爪(zhua)記》。近期它又在(zai)紀(ji)錄(lu)片《史前星球》中登(deng)場(chang)。
在電(dian)影方(fang)面,特暴龍登場于韓(han)國(guo)的動畫(hua)(hua)電(dian)影《韓(han)半島的恐龍》以及國(guo)產恐龍動畫(hua)(hua)電(dian)影《恐龍王》。
特暴龍位于食物鏈的頂端,是(shi)一種頂級掠食動(dong)物。特(te)暴(bao)(bao)龍(long)在暴(bao)(bao)龍(long)科中的(de)(de)分(fen)類(lei)位置仍未確定。以前,有(you)(you)些(xie)科學家(jia)認(ren)為勇(yong)士特(te)暴(bao)(bao)龍(long)其實是(shi)北美洲暴(bao)(bao)龍(long)的(de)(de)亞(ya)洲種。如果屬實,將使特(te)暴(bao)(bao)龍(long)成為無效的(de)(de)分(fen)類(lei)。即(ji)使特(te)暴(bao)(bao)龍(long)與暴(bao)(bao)龍(long)不是(shi)同種動(dong)物,它們被認(ren)為有(you)(you)接近的(de)(de)親(qin)(qin)緣關系。有(you)(you)些(xie)科學家(jia)認(ren)為,同樣發現于(yu)蒙古的(de)(de)分(fen)支(zhi)龍(long),是(shi)特(te)暴(bao)(bao)龍(long)的(de)(de)近親(qin)(qin)。
特暴龍的化石記錄(lu)保存良好,已有數十個(ge)標本,包含至少5個(ge)完整(zheng)的頭顱骨(gu)與骨(gu)骸。這些化石讓科(ke)學(xue)家(jia)得以研究(jiu)它們的種(zhong)系發生(sheng)學(xue)、頭部力學(xue)、以及(ji)腦部結構。
特暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)屬于暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)科(ke)的(de)(de)(de)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)科(ke)。該亞(ya)科(ke)還包含較(jiao)早(zao)期的(de)(de)(de)懼龍(long)(long)(long)、較(jiao)晚(wan)期的(de)(de)(de)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long),都發現于北美洲(zhou),可能(neng)還有蒙(meng)古的(de)(de)(de)分支龍(long)(long)(long)。暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)科(ke)包含親(qin)緣(yuan)關(guan)系較(jiao)接近暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long),而離艾(ai)伯塔(ta)龍(long)(long)(long)較(jiao)遠(yuan)的(de)(de)(de)物種;與艾(ai)伯塔(ta)龍(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)科(ke)相比(bi),暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)科(ke)的(de)(de)(de)體(ti)格較(jiao)重(zhong)型,頭顱骨的(de)(de)(de)比(bi)例較(jiao)大,以及(ji)較(jiao)長的(de)(de)(de)股骨。
勇士特暴龍最初被視為暴龍的一個種,某些近年的分類也支持這個說法。其(qi)他的(de)(de)(de)(de)科(ke)學(xue)家則將它們(men)列為(wei)獨(du)立的(de)(de)(de)(de)屬,并為(wei)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍的(de)(de)(de)(de)姐妹分(fen)(fen)類單元。在2003年,一(yi)個親(qin)(qin)緣分(fen)(fen)支(zhi)(zhi)分(fen)(fen)類法研究(jiu)提出(chu)分(fen)(fen)支(zhi)(zhi)龍是特(te)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍的(de)(de)(de)(de)近親(qin)(qin),因(yin)為(wei)它們(men)具有其(qi)他暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍亞(ya)科(ke)沒(mei)有的(de)(de)(de)(de)頭(tou)部(bu)特(te)征。如果屬實,將排(pai)除特(te)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍是暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍的(de)(de)(de)(de)一(yi)個異名的(de)(de)(de)(de)可能性,并顯(xian)示暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍亞(ya)科(ke)在北美洲與(yu)亞(ya)洲演化出(chu)個別的(de)(de)(de)(de)支(zhi)(zhi)系(xi)。分(fen)(fen)支(zhi)(zhi)龍的(de)(de)(de)(de)唯一(yi)標本具有幼年體的(de)(de)(de)(de)特(te)征,但牙齒數量(liang)較(jiao)多,約76到78顆(ke),而且(qie)口(kou)鼻部(bu)上面有獨(du)特(te)的(de)(de)(de)(de)低矮骨質(zhi)瘤,因(yin)此并非特(te)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍的(de)(de)(de)(de)幼年體。
特暴(bao)龍過去生(sheng)存于潮濕的泛(fan)濫平(ping)原,布(bu)滿(man)者(zhe)河道。在(zai)中(zhong)國(guo)(guo)的分布(bu)包括黑龍江,河南,山(shan)東(dong),廣(guang)東(dong),云(yun)南,內蒙古等地,國(guo)(guo)外主要(yao)是蒙古。在(zai)中(zhong)國(guo)(guo)黑龍江,河南,山(shan)東(dong),廣(guang)東(dong)的所謂中(zhong)國(guo)(guo)"暴(bao)龍"其實(shi)都是特暴(bao)龍。
特(te)(te)(te)(te)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)是(shi)最(zui)大(da)(da)型(xing)的(de)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)科動物(wu)之一(yi)(yi),但(dan)略小于暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)。已知最(zui)大(da)(da)型(xing)的(de)個體身(shen)長(chang)12米(mi)(mi),頭部離地面約(yue)4.2米(mi)(mi)。一(yi)(yi)般體重3噸(dun)(dun)到5噸(dun)(dun),最(zui)大(da)(da)的(de)化石體重可(ke)達(da)到7.5噸(dun)(dun)。如同(tong)大(da)(da)部分已知的(de)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)科恐龍(long)(long)(long),特(te)(te)(te)(te)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)是(shi)種大(da)(da)型(xing)、二(er)足(zu)掠(lve)食(shi)(shi)動物(wu),重達(da)數噸(dun)(dun),擁有(you)(you)數十顆大(da)(da)型(xing)、銳利(li)的(de)牙齒。特(te)(te)(te)(te)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)的(de)下(xia)頜有(you)(you)特(te)(te)(te)(te)殊的(de)接合構造。另外,就前肢(zhi)/身(shen)體比例而(er)言,特(te)(te)(te)(te)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)擁有(you)(you)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)科中最(zui)小型(xing)的(de)前肢(zhi)。特(te)(te)(te)(te)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)是(shi)種大(da)(da)型(xing)、二(er)足(zu)掠(lve)食(shi)(shi)動物(wu),重達(da)數噸(dun)(dun)。特(te)(te)(te)(te)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)唯(wei)一(yi)(yi)一(yi)(yi)個有(you)(you)效種的(de)體型(xing):勇士(shi)特(te)(te)(te)(te)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)Tarbosaurus bataar 8-12米(mi)(mi)。
暴龍科的身體外形(xing)差異不大。特暴龍的頸(jing)部為S狀彎曲(qu),其余的脊柱,包含尾巴,與地面(mian)保持者水平的姿態。
就前(qian)肢(zhi)/身體比(bi)例而言,特暴(bao)龍擁有暴(bao)龍科中(zhong)最小(xiao)型的前(qian)肢(zhi)。有兩根迷你的手指。后肢(zhi)長而粗厚(hou),將身體支撐(cheng)為二足的步態,上有三根腳趾。長而重的尾(wei)巴可(ke)以(yi)平衡頭部與胸部的重量,將重心保持(chi)在(zai)臀部。
在2003年,特暴(bao)龍(long)的(de)(de)顱骨首次經過(guo)完整的(de)(de)研究。科(ke)(ke)學家們發現(xian)特暴(bao)龍(long)與(yu)北美洲暴(bao)龍(long)科(ke)(ke)之間有幾個顯(xian)著的(de)(de)差(cha)異(yi)。這(zhe)些差(cha)異(yi)與(yu)顱骨在咬(yao)合時,力量(liang)的(de)(de)傳遞(di)(di)有關(guan)。當特暴(bao)龍(long)的(de)(de)上(shang)(shang)(shang)頜(he)咬(yao)住物體(ti)時,力量(liang)從上(shang)(shang)(shang)頜(he)骨傳遞(di)(di)到(dao)上(shang)(shang)(shang)頜(he)周遭(zao)的(de)(de)顱骨。而北美洲暴(bao)龍(long)科(ke)(ke)咬(yao)合時,力量(liang)從上(shang)(shang)(shang)頜(he)骨傳遞(di)(di)到(dao)口(kou)鼻部上(shang)(shang)(shang)方的(de)(de)固定鼻骨,然后再經由鼻骨與(yu)淚(lei)骨間的(de)(de)骨質(zhi)連結,傳遞(di)(di)到(dao)淚(lei)骨。
特暴(bao)龍(long)的(de)(de)鼻骨(gu)(gu)(gu)與(yu)淚(lei)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)間(jian)(jian)缺乏骨(gu)(gu)(gu)質的(de)(de)連結。但上頜(he)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)后方有(you)個大型突(tu)起,楔合入淚(lei)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)內;而(er)北美(mei)洲(zhou)暴(bao)龍(long)的(de)(de)上頜(he)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)后突(tu)很小。這個特征顯示(shi),咬合的(de)(de)力量從特暴(bao)龍(long)的(de)(de)上頜(he)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)直(zhi)接傳遞到淚(lei)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)。而(er)淚(lei)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)與(yu)額(e)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)、前額(e)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)之間(jian)(jian)更(geng)為牢固(gu)(gu)。由于上頜(he)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)、淚(lei)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)、額(e)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)、前額(e)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)之間(jian)(jian)牢牢地(di)固(gu)(gu)定者,使得上頜(he)非常堅固(gu)(gu)。
另一個主要(yao)的(de)(de)差別則(ze)是堅固的(de)(de)下(xia)頜。許多獸(shou)腳(jiao)類恐龍(long),包括北美洲暴(bao)(bao)龍(long)科在內,下(xia)頜的(de)(de)齒(chi)骨與后面骨頭間有靈(ling)活的(de)(de)關節。特(te)暴(bao)(bao)龍(long)的(de)(de)隅(yu)骨側邊棱(leng)脊連接者齒(chi)骨后方(fang)的(de)(de)方(fang)形突,使(shi)它(ta)們的(de)(de)下(xia)頜無(wu)法(fa)靈(ling)活外內扳動。
有些科學(xue)家提出假設,認為(wei)特暴龍(long)的堅硬頭(tou)部(bu)(bu)是種(zhong)適(shi)應(ying)演(yan)化(hua),用(yong)來獵殺耐梅蓋(gai)特組的大型蜥腳類恐龍(long),泰坦(tan)巨(ju)(ju)龍(long)類,因為(wei)晚白(bai)堊紀的北美洲(zhou)并(bing)沒有如此(ci)巨(ju)(ju)大的恐龍(long)存(cun)在。這(zhe)種(zhong)頭(tou)部(bu)(bu)力學(xue)的差異也(ye)影響(xiang)了暴龍(long)科的種(zhong)系發生學(xue)。同樣發現于(yu)蒙古的分(fen)支龍(long),也(ye)具有類似(si)特暴龍(long)的頭(tou)部(bu)(bu)力學(xue)特征,這(zhe)顯(xian)示暴龍(long)并(bing)非特暴龍(long)的近親。特暴龍(long)與暴龍(long)的相似(si)處可能導(dao)因于(yu)它(ta)們巨(ju)(ju)大的體型,是平行演(yan)化(hua)的結(jie)果。
一個(ge)在1948年發現的(de)顱(lu)(lu)骨,一度被歸類于蛇發女怪龍的(de)G. lancinator,因為具有顱(lu)(lu)腔,有助(zhu)于科學家了(le)(le)解特暴龍的(de)腦部結(jie)構。在1965年,馬(ma)列(lie)夫(fu)(fu)制作(zuo)了(le)(le)一個(ge)石膏顱(lu)(lu)腔模型(xing),并做了(le)(le)初步(bu)的(de)腦部形狀檢查。在2005年,謝爾蓋·薩伐黎耶夫(fu)(fu)(Sergei V. Saveliev)制作(zuo)了(le)(le)一個(ge)聚(ju)氨酯顱(lu)(lu)腔模型(xing),并做了(le)(le)更詳細的(de)腦部結(jie)構與(yu)功(gong)能研究(jiu)。
根據暴(bao)龍的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)腦(nao)部(bu)(bu)結構(gou)研究,它們兩(liang)者的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)腦(nao)部(bu)(bu)結構(gou)相似(si),只有(you)某(mou)些腦(nao)神(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)經(jing)根部(bu)(bu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)位(wei)置不(bu)一(yi)樣,包含三叉神(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)經(jing)與(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)副(fu)神(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)經(jing)。暴(bao)龍科的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)腦(nao)部(bu)(bu)較(jiao)類(lei)(lei)似(si)鱷魚與(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)其他爬(pa)蟲類(lei)(lei),而較(jiao)不(bu)類(lei)(lei)似(si)鳥類(lei)(lei)。特暴(bao)龍的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)腦(nao)部(bu)(bu)體積為(wei)184立方厘米。腦(nao)部(bu)(bu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)大(da)型嗅球(qiu)(qiu)、末(mo)端神(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)經(jing)、嗅神(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)經(jing),顯(xian)(xian)示(shi)(shi)特暴(bao)龍具(ju)有(you)靈敏的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)嗅覺(jue),這(zhe)點如(ru)同(tong)暴(bao)龍。犁鼻球(qiu)(qiu)大(da)型,而且與(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)嗅球(qiu)(qiu)分(fen)離(li),顯(xian)(xian)示(shi)(shi)可以(yi)感(gan)應費(fei)洛(luo)蒙的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)犁鼻器發展良(liang)好。這(zhe)個(ge)特征(zheng)顯(xian)(xian)示(shi)(shi)特暴(bao)龍可能具(ju)有(you)復雜的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)求偶(ou)行為(wei)。聽神(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)經(jing)也很(hen)大(da),顯(xian)(xian)示(shi)(shi)它們的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)聽力(li)很(hen)好,可能用在聲音的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)溝通與(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)警告上。聽神(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)經(jing)連接(jie)者發展良(liang)好的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)前庭(ting)系統,顯(xian)(xian)示(shi)(shi)它們的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)平衡感(gan)與(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)協調性很(hen)好。相反地,與(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)視(shi)力(li)有(you)關的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)腦(nao)部(bu)(bu)區域與(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)神(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)經(jing)較(jiao)小(xiao)。爬(pa)蟲類(lei)(lei)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)中(zhong)腦(nao)頂(ding)蓋(gai)連接(jie)控制眼(yan)球(qiu)(qiu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)視(shi)神(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)經(jing)與(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)動(dong)眼(yan)神(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)經(jing),是用來處(chu)理視(shi)力(li)訊息,但特暴(bao)龍的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)中(zhong)腦(nao)頂(ding)蓋(gai)非(fei)常(chang)小(xiao)。暴(bao)龍的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)眼(yan)睛朝(chao)前,因此具(ju)有(you)一(yi)定程度的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)立體視(shi)覺(jue);但特暴(bao)龍的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)顱骨狹窄,眼(yan)睛朝(chao)向兩(liang)側,如(ru)同(tong)典型的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)暴(bao)龍科動(dong)物(wu)。這(zhe)些特征(zheng)顯(xian)(xian)示(shi)(shi)特暴(bao)龍較(jiao)依靠嗅覺(jue)與(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)聽覺(jue),而非(fei)視(shi)覺(jue)。
已知最大型的特(te)暴(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)顱(lu)骨長度超過1.3米,小(xiao)于(yu)暴(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)和諸城(cheng)暴(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)以及(ji)懼龍(long)(long),但大于(yu)其(qi)它(ta)的暴(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)科。如同(tong)暴(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long),特(te)暴(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)的顱(lu)骨高大,前段(duan)(duan)狹窄(zhai)。顱(lu)骨后段(duan)(duan)擴(kuo)張(zhang)幅度不(bu)(bu)大,意味著特(te)暴(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)所(suo)以不(bu)(bu)如暴(bao)(bao)龍(long)(long)擁有(you)的立體視覺好。
顱骨的(de)大(da)型洞孔可減(jian)輕重量。特暴龍的(de)下(xia)頜有特殊的(de)接合構(gou)造。
顎部(bu)(bu)有60到(dao)64顆牙齒(chi),略少(shao)于(yu)(yu)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long),但大于(yu)(yu)其它體型(xing)較小的(de)(de)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)科,例(li)如蛇發女怪龍(long)(long)(long)(long)與分(fen)支龍(long)(long)(long)(long)。大部(bu)(bu)分(fen)的(de)(de)牙齒(chi)橫剖(pou)面(mian)為橢圓形,而(er)前上顎骨的(de)(de)牙齒(chi)橫剖(pou)面(mian)為D形。暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)科都具有這種異型(xing)齒(chi)特征。上顎骨的(de)(de)牙齒(chi)最(zui)長,齒(chi)冠(guan)長達85公(gong)厘。如同其它大型(xing)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)科與現代的(de)(de)科莫多龍(long)(long)(long)(long),特暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)幼年與近(jin)成(cheng)年個(ge)體的(de)(de)身上發現過有齒(chi)痕(hen),符合成(cheng)年個(ge)體或其它較小型(xing)獸腳類恐龍(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)牙齒(chi)。
特暴龍(long)與分支龍(long)的下(xia)(xia)顎外側(ce)各有一(yi)道(dao)棱脊(ji),從隅(yu)骨延伸(shen)到齒(chi)骨后方,形成相扣的結構。其(qi)它暴龍(long)科(ke)動物缺乏這道(dao)棱脊(ji),因此(ci)下(xia)(xia)顎更為靈活(huo)。
特暴龍(long)位于(yu)食(shi)物鏈的(de)頂(ding)端,是(shi)一種頂(ding)級(ji)掠食(shi)者,可能以大型恐(kong)龍(long)為食(shi),例如鴨嘴龍(long)類的(de)櫛龍(long),或是(shi)蜥腳(jiao)類的(de)納(na)摩蓋吐龍(long)。
成年特暴龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)可能與其(qi)它小型(xing)獸腳類(lei)恐(kong)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)有(you)少許競(jing)爭(zheng),例如傷齒龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)科的(de)無(wu)聊龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)、鴕鳥龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)、蜥鳥龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long),以及偷蛋龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)下目(mu)的(de)單(dan)足龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)、瑞(rui)欽龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long),或者還有(you)小掠龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long),一(yi)種有(you)時被認為(wei)(wei)是(shi)基底(di)暴龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)超科的(de)恐(kong)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)。其(qi)它的(de)獸腳類(lei)恐(kong)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long),包含:巨大的(de)鐮刀龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)、似(si)(si)鳥龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)下目(mu)的(de)似(si)(si)鵝(e)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)、似(si)(si)雞龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)、恐(kong)手龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long),鐮刀龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)可能是(shi)草食(shi)性(xing),而(er)上述似(si)(si)鳥龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)類(lei)恐(kong)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)可能為(wei)(wei)雜食(shi)性(xing),以小型(xing)動(dong)物為(wei)(wei)食(shi),不會(hui)跟特暴龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)競(jing)爭(zheng)食(shi)物。
在2001年,布魯斯·羅斯柴(chai)爾(er)德(Bruce Rothschild)等(deng)人(ren)發表一份獸腳類恐龍(long)的壓(ya)力性(xing)(xing)骨(gu)(gu)折(zhe)(zhe)與(yu)肌(ji)腱撕(si)裂(lie)傷研究(jiu),并研究(jiu)它(ta)們的行(xing)為模(mo)式(shi)。壓(ya)力性(xing)(xing)骨(gu)(gu)折(zhe)(zhe)較(jiao)常(chang)導(dao)(dao)因于(yu)(yu)習慣性(xing)(xing)動(dong)作,較(jiao)少來(lai)自于(yu)(yu)外力沖(chong)擊。他們研究(jiu)18個(ge)特(te)(te)暴龍(long)的腳掌骨(gu)(gu)骼(ge),沒有發現(xian)壓(ya)力性(xing)(xing)骨(gu)(gu)折(zhe)(zhe)的跡(ji)(ji)象;而在10個(ge)被(bei)研究(jiu)的手掌骨(gu)(gu)頭中,其中一個(ge)手部骨(gu)(gu)頭有發現(xian)壓(ya)力性(xing)(xing)骨(gu)(gu)折(zhe)(zhe)的跡(ji)(ji)象。腳部骨(gu)(gu)頭的壓(ya)力性(xing)(xing)骨(gu)(gu)折(zhe)(zhe),可(ke)以歸咎于(yu)(yu)奔跑、長途遷徙。手部骨(gu)(gu)頭的壓(ya)力性(xing)(xing)骨(gu)(gu)折(zhe)(zhe),極可(ke)能導(dao)(dao)因于(yu)(yu)捕抓獵物而受傷。這些壓(ya)力性(xing)(xing)骨(gu)(gu)折(zhe)(zhe)、肌(ji)腱撕(si)裂(lie)傷跡(ji)(ji)象,顯示特(te)(te)暴龍(long)常(chang)因為捕抓獵物而受傷,而非吞食(shi)尸體。
在1946年,一個蘇聯與蒙古挖掘團隊在蒙古南戈(ge)壁(bi)省的(de)耐(nai)梅蓋特組發(fa)現一個接近完(wan)整的(de)絕(jue)大部分大型頭(tou)顱(lu)骨與一些脊椎骨,屬于一個大型的(de)獸腳(jiao)類恐龍。
在1955年,蘇聯古(gu)生物學家葉甫根(gen)尼·馬列夫(Evgeny Maleev)將(jiang)這正(zheng)模標(biao)本(PIN 551-1)建立(li)為(wei)暴龍的一個種,勇士暴龍(Tyrannosaurus bataar)。種名баатар/baatar在蒙古(gu)語(yu)中(zhong)意為(wei)"勇士",但被誤拼為(wei)bataar。
同(tong)年,馬(ma)列夫(fu)(fu)將3個(ge)(ge)獸腳類的(de)(de)(de)(de)化石敘述并命名(ming),三者都是(shi)頭(tou)顱骨,外加部(bu)分身體,全是(shi)同(tong)一(yi)個(ge)(ge)挖(wa)掘團隊在1948到(dao)49年間發(fa)現的(de)(de)(de)(de)。第(di)一(yi)個(ge)(ge)(編號(hao)PIN 551-2)被(bei)(bei)建立為新屬,埃夫(fu)(fu)雷(lei)莫夫(fu)(fu)特暴龍(T. efremovi),ταρβο?/tarbos在希(xi)臘文文中意為"恐怖(bu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)"、"敬畏的(de)(de)(de)(de)",而(er)σαυρο?/saurus意為"蜥蜴",種名(ming)是(shi)以(yi)蘇聯古生物學家兼科幻小說作(zuo)者伊凡·埃夫(fu)(fu)雷(lei)莫夫(fu)(fu)(Ivan Yefremov)為名(ming)。另外兩個(ge)(ge)(編號(hao)PIN 553-1與PIN 552-2)被(bei)(bei)歸類于北(bei)美洲的(de)(de)(de)(de)蛇(she)發(fa)女怪龍,G. lancinator與G. novojilovi。這三個(ge)(ge)標(biao)本(ben)都小于1946年發(fa)現的(de)(de)(de)(de)標(biao)本(ben)。
自從(cong)蘇聯與蒙(meng)古(gu)的挖(wa)掘(jue)(jue)團(tuan)隊在(zai)40年(nian)代的挖(wa)掘(jue)(jue)過(guo)后(hou),一個波蘭與蒙(meng)古(gu)的挖(wa)掘(jue)(jue)團(tuan)隊再度(du)回到戈壁沙漠挖(wa)掘(jue)(jue),從(cong)1963年(nian)持續到1971年(nian),發(fa)(fa)現(xian)了許多(duo)新的化石,并在(zai)耐梅蓋特(te)組發(fa)(fa)現(xian)了特(te)暴(bao)龍的新標本。
在1965年(nian),蘇聯(lian)古(gu)生(sheng)物學家阿納(na)托利·康斯坦丁諾(nuo)維(wei)奇·羅特杰斯特文(wen)斯基(Anatoly Konstantinovich Rozhdestvensky)認(ren)為馬(ma)列夫(fu)所發現的標本(ben),其實是同種(zhong)動物的不同生(sheng)長階段,而且不同于北美洲(zhou)的暴龍(long)。
1979年(nian),董枝明在根據欒(luan)川(chuan)縣(xian)發掘到(dao)五顆大型牙齒命名為(wei)(wei)巒川(chuan)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)(Tyrannosaurus luanchuanensis)和霸王龍(long)相似種(Tyrannosaurus cf. T. rex )的(de)(de)動物(wu)后來就被改(gai)為(wei)(wei)欒(luan)川(chuan)特(te)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)等,而欒(luan)川(chuan)特(te)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)實際(ji)(ji)也(ye)不能(neng)成立,因為(wei)(wei)后來的(de)(de)研究把(ba)它歸入了勇(yong)士特(te)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long),認為(wei)(wei)它實際(ji)(ji)只(zhi)是(shi)勇(yong)士特(te)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)的(de)(de)青年(nian)個(ge)體。在欒(luan)川(chuan)特(te)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)發現(xian)之前(qian),廣東(dong)河源(yuan)發現(xian)過(guo)特(te)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)未定種的(de)(de)化(hua)石(shi)。發現(xian)欒(luan)川(chuan)特(te)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)的(de)(de)秋(qiu)扒組(zu)巖石(shi),秋(qiu)扒組(zu)巖石(shi)是(shi)分(fen)布在潭頭盆地欒(luan)川(chuan)縣(xian)一帶的(de)(de)白堊紀晚(wan)期(qi)地層(ceng),是(shi)由紫紅色(se)的(de)(de)砂泥巖構成,最底部含(han)有(you)磚紅色(se)的(de)(de)礫(li)石(shi),其他發現(xian)過(guo)特(te)暴(bao)(bao)(bao)龍(long)的(de)(de)地層(ceng)也(ye)都屬于(yu)白堊紀晚(wan)期(qi)。
在(zai)1986年,雖然已經(jing)發(fa)現許多特(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)標(biao)(biao)本,但很(hen)少已確(que)定(ding)的(de)(de)明確(que)資料,特(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)被推(tui)論與其他暴(bao)龍(long)科恐(kong)龍(long)有許多共同特(te)(te)征(zheng)。這些相近的(de)(de)特(te)(te)征(zheng)讓某(mou)些科學(xue)家提出(chu)當時的(de)(de)北美(mei)洲(zhou)與歐(ou)亞大陸(lu)之間有可能的(de)(de)連結(jie),也許是陸(lu)橋。他將四個標(biao)(biao)本與新發(fa)現的(de)(de)化(hua)石,統(tong)合為(wei)勇士特(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)(T.bataar)。后來的(de)(de)研究(jiu)人員都同意羅特(te)(te)杰斯特(te)(te)文斯基的(de)(de)分(fen)類,包(bao)含馬列夫(fu)在(zai)內(nei),但少數科學(xue)家使用埃夫(fu)雷(lei)莫夫(fu)特(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long),而非勇士特(te)(te)暴(bao)龍(long)。
在1992年,美國古生物學家(jia)肯尼思·卡彭特(Kenneth Carpenter)重新檢(jian)驗這(zhe)些化石(shi)(shi),他根據頭顱(lu)骨的(de)相似處,提(ti)出這(zhe)些化石(shi)(shi)大部分(fen)屬(shu)于暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long),并將勇士特暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)改回勇士暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long);而蛇發女怪龍(long)(long)(long)的(de)G. novojilovi是個較小型的(de)暴(bao)龍(long)(long)(long)科動(dong)物,另(ling)外建(jian)立為(wei)馬(ma)列夫(fu)龍(long)(long)(long)(Maleevosaurus novojilovi)。
在1995年(nian),喬治·奧利舍夫斯(si)基(George Olshevsky)建立(li)了勇(yong)士成吉思(si)汗(han)(han)龍(Jenghizkhan bataar),取(qu)代(dai)勇(yong)士特(te)暴(bao)龍,并以成吉思(si)汗(han)(han)為名;他并提(ti)出埃夫雷莫夫特(te)暴(bao)龍、馬列夫龍、勇(yong)士成吉思(si)汗(han)(han)龍是(shi)三個獨立(li)的屬(shu),都生存(cun)于相同時(shi)期的耐梅蓋特(te)組。
在1999年,一個研究提出馬列(lie)夫龍(long)(long)是(shi)特(te)(te)暴龍(long)(long)的幼(you)年個體。自從1999年以(yi)來,所有的研究認為這些化(hua)石皆為同種動(dong)物,勇(yong)士特(te)(te)暴龍(long)(long)或是(shi)勇(yong)士暴龍(long)(long)。
在1993年到1998年,日本(ben)與蒙古的(de)挖(wa)掘團隊,以及21世紀(ji)初,加拿(na)大古生(sheng)物學家菲力·柯爾(Phil Currie)的(de)挖(wa)掘小組,也發現(xian)了許多特暴龍化石。不算上私(si)人收(shou)藏的(de)標本(ben),已發現(xian)了至(zhi)少37個(ge)標本(ben),包含超過15個(ge)完整和部分的(de)頭顱(lu)骨化石,與至(zhi)少5個(ge)完整的(de)顱(lu)后骨骸。
21世紀(ji)初,廣(guang)東(dong)河源(yuan)盆(pen)地(di)也(ye)出(chu)土過大型獸腳類的大型暴(bao)龍類牙齒化石,推(tui)測可能是(shi)特暴(bao)龍。
特暴(bao)龍的(de)(de)(de)(de)大部分化石,是成年或亞成年個(ge)體(ti),很少(shao)發現(xian)幼(you)年個(ge)體(ti)的(de)(de)(de)(de)化石。在2006年發現(xian)的(de)(de)(de)(de)一個(ge)幼(you)年個(ge)體(ti)身(shen)體(ti)骨骼,帶有完整的(de)(de)(de)(de)頭顱骨,頭部長(chang)(chang)度(du)為29厘(li)米,使得古(gu)生(sheng)物學家可以(yi)研(yan)究特暴(bao)龍的(de)(de)(de)(de)生(sheng)長(chang)(chang)模式。這(zhe)個(ge)幼(you)年個(ge)體(ti)化石,死(si)亡時的(de)(de)(de)(de)年齡(ling)大約是2到3歲。與成年個(ge)體(ti)相(xiang)比,這(zhe)個(ge)幼(you)年頭顱骨的(de)(de)(de)(de)結構虛(xu)弱,牙齒(chi)較(jiao)細,顯示特暴(bao)龍的(de)(de)(de)(de)幼(you)年個(ge)體(ti)、成年個(ge)體(ti)占據(ju)不(bu)同(tong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)生(sheng)態位,以(yi)免競爭相(xiang)同(tong)食物來源(yuan)。