食蜥王(wang)龍(long)是發現(xian)于(yu)北(bei)美洲晚侏羅世莫里遜組的(de)大(da)型(xing)(xing)獸腳類(lei)恐(kong)龍(long),與著名(ming)的(de)異(yi)(yi)特龍(long)同(tong)屬于(yu)異(yi)(yi)特龍(long)超(chao)科(ke)。該屬下目(mu)(mu)前只(zhi)有一種(zhong),巨型(xing)(xing)食蜥王(wang)龍(long)。依據目(mu)(mu)前有限的(de)化石(shi)資(zi)料來看,食蜥王(wang)龍(long)是該組報道(dao)的(de)體型(xing)(xing)最大(da)的(de)捕食者,體型(xing)(xing)大(da)于(yu)發現(xian)于(yu)同(tong)一地區的(de)異(yi)(yi)特龍(long)和(he)(he)蠻龍(long)。由于(yu)食蜥王(wang)龍(long)的(de)化石(shi)記錄非常少(shao)(shao),古生物學(xue)家對于(yu)這種(zhong)巨型(xing)(xing)獵手知之甚(shen)少(shao)(shao)。目(mu)(mu)前對于(yu)食蜥王(wang)龍(long)的(de)體型(xing)(xing)估計認為它的(de)長(chang)度可能接近霸王(wang)龍(long)和(he)(he)其它大(da)型(xing)(xing)鯊齒龍(long)類(lei),但由于(yu)體態較修長(chang),因此體重要輕(qing)一些。
“Sauros”意為(wei)蜥(xi)蜴,“phagein”是“以…為(wei)食(shi)”,“anax”的意思是統治者。因(yin)此(ci)食(shi)蜥(xi)王(wang)龍的屬名(ming)意為(wei)“以蜥(xi)蜴為(wei)食(shi)的王(wang)者”。種名(ming)則(ze)是強調它(ta)巨大的體型。
關(guan)于食蜥王(wang)(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)研(yan)究可以追溯至20世(shi)紀30年(nian)代。斯(si)托瓦爾在俄克拉荷馬州錫馬龍(long)(long)(long)縣(xian)發現了(le)一(yi)具(ju)大型獸腳類恐龍(long)(long)(long)化石,它將其命(ming)(ming)(ming)名(ming)為(wei)“Saurophagus maximus”。由于在命(ming)(ming)(ming)名(ming)時缺(que)乏對標本詳(xiang)細的(de)(de)(de)形態學(xue)描(miao)述(shu),這一(yi)命(ming)(ming)(ming)名(ming)被認為(wei)是裸名(ming)(nomen nudum, 生(sheng)物命(ming)(ming)(ming)名(ming)中的(de)(de)(de)無效命(ming)(ming)(ming)名(ming))。之后的(de)(de)(de)研(yan)究發現,屬名(ming)“Saurophagus”已經(jing)(jing)被用(yong)于一(yi)種鳥(niao)類的(de)(de)(de)命(ming)(ming)(ming)名(ming),因此即(ji)(ji)(ji)使(shi)經(jing)(jing)過正式描(miao)述(shu),原有的(de)(de)(de)屬名(ming)也(ye)是無效的(de)(de)(de)。在1995年(nian),古生(sheng)物學(xue)家丹尼爾.舒爾建立(li)了(le)一(yi)個(ge)新屬,即(ji)(ji)(ji)“Saurophaganax”,并選擇OMNH 01123,即(ji)(ji)(ji)一(yi)節神經(jing)(jing)棘作為(wei)食蜥王(wang)(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)正型標本。食蜥王(wang)(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)材料可能來自(zi)于4個(ge)個(ge)體。
正型標本:OMNH 01123一(yi)節背椎(zhui)神(shen)經棘(ji)。
食蜥王(wang)龍(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)頭骨(gu)(gu)(gu)材料僅包括一(yi)件右側眶后(hou)骨(gu)(gu)(gu),兩件不完整的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)頂骨(gu)(gu)(gu),以及(ji)三(san)顆牙(ya)冠。方(fang)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)具(ju)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)一(yi)方(fang)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)孔(kong)(kong)。寰椎(zhui)(zhui)(zhui)很(hen)大,缺(que)乏與(yu)前寰椎(zhui)(zhui)(zhui)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)關節面。頸(jing)椎(zhui)(zhui)(zhui)為后(hou)凹形(xing)。前部(bu)頸(jing)椎(zhui)(zhui)(zhui)具(ju)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)中等發(fa)育的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)上(shang)突(tu)。椎(zhui)(zhui)(zhui)體兩側具(ju)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)大的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)孔(kong)(kong)與(yu)內部(bu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)氣腔(qiang)化構造相連通。中段頸(jing)椎(zhui)(zhui)(zhui)具(ju)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)發(fa)育氣腔(qiang)化構造的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)椎(zhui)(zhui)(zhui)弓(gong)橫突(tu)。中部(bu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)背(bei)椎(zhui)(zhui)(zhui)具(ju)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)沙漏(lou)型的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)椎(zhui)(zhui)(zhui)體。椎(zhui)(zhui)(zhui)體與(yu)神經(jing)(jing)棘相連接的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)地(di)方(fang)具(ju)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)一(yi)個深的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)橢圓形(xing)凹陷。背(bei)椎(zhui)(zhui)(zhui)椎(zhui)(zhui)(zhui)體也(ye)為后(hou)凹形(xing)。唯一(yi)完整保存的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)背(bei)椎(zhui)(zhui)(zhui)神經(jing)(jing)棘可能(neng)來自于一(yi)個中段的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)背(bei)椎(zhui)(zhui)(zhui)神經(jing)(jing)棘。這枚神經(jing)(jing)棘與(yu)其(qi)它獸腳類的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)神經(jing)(jing)棘有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)很(hen)大的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)差別。在它的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)基部(bu)延伸出了一(yi)對類似于前后(hou)關節突(tu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)小骨(gu)(gu)(gu)片。尾椎(zhui)(zhui)(zhui)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)椎(zhui)(zhui)(zhui)體呈前凹形(xing)。前部(bu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)脈弧具(ju)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)前突(tu)。肱骨(gu)(gu)(gu)粗壯,與(yu)異特龍(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)很(hen)相似。前肢(zhi)也(ye)具(ju)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)三(san)個指,但是第一(yi)指沒有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)比其(qi)它手(shou)指強壯太(tai)多(duo)。腸骨(gu)(gu)(gu)具(ju)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)窄的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)尾骨(gu)(gu)(gu)短肌附著脊。恥(chi)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)具(ju)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)開放(fang)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)閉(bi)(bi)孔(kong)(kong),以及(ji)膨大的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)遠端(duan)。坐骨(gu)(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)閉(bi)(bi)孔(kong)(kong)突(tu)位(wei)(wei)于靠近近端(duan)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)位(wei)(wei)置。股(gu)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)小轉子比較靠近近端(duan)。
歸入標本(ben):OMNH 01135寰(huan)椎(zhui)。
歸入標本:OMNH 01444前部頸椎。
歸(gui)入(ru)標(biao)本:OMNH 01190背(bei)椎椎體(ti)。
歸入標本:OMNH 01685中段尾椎。
歸(gui)入標本:OMNH 01338左側腸骨。
歸入標本:OMNH 01737右(you)側坐(zuo)骨的近端。
歸入標本:OMNH 01425右側(ce)恥(chi)骨的(de)遠端。
歸(gui)入標(biao)本:OMNH 01707左側恥骨的近端。
歸入標本(ben):OMNH 01708右(you)側(ce)股骨(gu)。
歸入標本:OMNH 01370右側脛骨。
歸(gui)入標本:OMNH 01935左(zuo)側肱骨(gu)。
其余歸入標本:舒爾1995年(nian)的(de)(de)描(miao)述文獻中(zhong)所(suo)描(miao)述的(de)(de)一些材料沒有提及標本號,包括一些頭骨(gu)骨(gu)塊,細節見舒爾1995年(nian)和2000年(nian)的(de)(de)文獻。
發現食(shi)蜥(xi)王(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)的莫里遜組也發現了(le)眾多(duo)恐(kong)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)的化石。與它同時(shi)期的獸(shou)腳(jiao)(jiao)類(lei)恐(kong)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)還有(you)角鼻龍(long)(long)(long)(long),異(yi)特(te)龍(long)(long)(long)(long),蠻(man)(man)龍(long)(long)(long)(long),史(shi)托龍(long)(long)(long)(long)和(he)嗜(shi)(shi)鳥龍(long)(long)(long)(long)。植食(shi)性恐(kong)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)包括屬于蜥(xi)腳(jiao)(jiao)類(lei)的圓頂龍(long)(long)(long)(long),腕龍(long)(long)(long)(long),梁龍(long)(long)(long)(long),迷惑(huo)龍(long)(long)(long)(long),重龍(long)(long)(long)(long),還有(you)屬于鳥臀(tun)類(lei)的劍(jian)龍(long)(long)(long)(long),橡樹龍(long)(long)(long)(long),侏儒龍(long)(long)(long)(long)和(he)彎龍(long)(long)(long)(long)。食(shi)蜥(xi)王(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)是(shi)那個時(shi)代最大的捕食(shi)者,可能(neng)會(hui)以大型的蜥(xi)腳(jiao)(jiao)類(lei)恐(kong)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)為(wei)食(shi),但同時(shi)也會(hui)面臨多(duo)方的競爭壓力。史(shi)托龍(long)(long)(long)(long)和(he)和(he)嗜(shi)(shi)鳥龍(long)(long)(long)(long)都是(shi)小型獸(shou)腳(jiao)(jiao)類(lei)恐(kong)龍(long)(long)(long)(long),角鼻龍(long)(long)(long)(long)是(shi)中等體型的掠食(shi)者。異(yi)特(te)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)和(he)蠻(man)(man)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)與食(shi)蜥(xi)王(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)類(lei)似,高(gao)居食(shi)物鏈(lian)的上游。一(yi)些(xie)異(yi)特(te)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)的標本(ben)表面具有(you)大型的齒痕(hen)(hen),這(zhe)(zhe)些(xie)齒痕(hen)(hen)很可能(neng)來自(zi)一(yi)種比(bi)異(yi)特(te)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)和(he)蠻(man)(man)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)都巨大的動物,最有(you)可能(neng)的選擇就是(shi)食(shi)蜥(xi)王(wang)龍(long)(long)(long)(long),暗示著這(zhe)(zhe)兩(liang)種頂級捕食(shi)者可能(neng)會(hui)發生沖(chong)突(tu)。
目前的主流觀點認(ren)為食蜥王龍(long)屬于異特龍(long)超科中的異特龍(long)類,與(yu)異特龍(long)具有很近的親緣(yuan)關系(xi)。
食蜥王(wang)龍登場(chang)于BBC的紀錄片《恐(kong)龍星(xing)球》中(zhong),在片中(zhong),食蜥王(wang)龍對一(yi)只異特龍大打出(chu)手(shou),撕咬(yao)對手(shou)的頭部,并搶走了對方的獵物。
中文(wen)名稱(chinese)→食蜥王龍
其它中文名稱(chinese[other])→無
拉丁文(wen)學名( name )→ saurophaganax
發音( pronounced )→ sawr-oh-fag-ah-naks
含義( meaning )→食蜥蜴(恐(kong)龍)的(de)龍的(de)國王
目( order )→蜥臀目(saurischia)
亞(ya)目( suborder)→獸腳亞(ya)目(theropoda)
類(lei)(lei)( infraorder)→新(xin)獸腳類(lei)(lei)(neotheropoda)
堅尾(wei)龍類(tetanurae)
鳥獸(shou)腳類(lei)(avetheropoda)
肉食龍類(carnosauria)
超科(super family)→ 異(yi)特龍(long)超科(allosauroidea)
科( family)→ 異(yi)特(te)龍科(allosauridae)
屬( genus )→食蜥王龍(saurophaganax)
模式種(zhong)( type species )→巨(ju)食(shi)蜥王龍(s. maximus)
其它(ta)種(zhong)( other species )→ 無
錯(cuo)誤(wu)歸屬(shu)種( misassigned species )→無
時代( period )→ 侏羅紀晚期到末期( kimmeridgian- tithonian)
分布( found in )→美(mei)國(The United States)、西班牙(Spain)
發現地層( stratum )→莫里森層(morrison)
食(shi)性( diet )→ 肉食(shi)(meat)
典型狀態( length up to )→ 長10-13.9米(The length of the10-13m)
推測體重(zhong)( mass )→ 4-8.2噸
發現(xian)者( discoverer )→ hunt &lucas,1987
命名(ming)者(zhe)( first described )→chure,1995
在世界出現的(de)(de)地方(fang):美國(guo)的(de)(de)俄克拉何馬州
食(shi)(shi)(shi)蜥(xi)(xi)王(wang)(wang)龍(long)(long)是侏羅紀晚期北美洲的最大型肉食(shi)(shi)(shi)性恐龍(long)(long)之一,早期身長估計(ji)值約14到15公尺,近(jin)年估計(ji)值則略短(duan)。食(shi)(shi)(shi)蜥(xi)(xi)王(wang)(wang)龍(long)(long)的化石發(fa)現于(yu)(yu)新墨(mo)西哥州(zhou)與奧克拉(la)荷馬(ma)州(zhou)的莫(mo)里遜組最晚層,顯示它們(men)很晚才出現于(yu)(yu)該地(di)區、或者是數量比較(jiao)稀少。食(shi)(shi)(shi)蜥(xi)(xi)王(wang)(wang)龍(long)(long)是種晚期的異(yi)(yi)特龍(long)(long)科,體(ti)型大于(yu)(yu)年代相近(jin)的異(yi)(yi)特龍(long)(long)、蠻(man)龍(long)(long)。但(dan)在莫(mo)里遜組的獸(shou)腳(jiao)類(lei)恐龍(long)(long)化石中,食(shi)(shi)(shi)蜥(xi)(xi)王(wang)(wang)龍(long)(long)的化石很稀少,因此(ci)無法得(de)知(zhi)其(qi)食(shi)(shi)(shi)性、行為(wei)。奧克拉(la)荷馬(ma)州(zhou)的莫(mo)里遜組曾發(fa)現許多迷惑龍(long)(long)化石,食(shi)(shi)(shi)蜥(xi)(xi)王(wang)(wang)龍(long)(long)可能(neng)會以它們(men)為(wei)食(shi)(shi)(shi)。
食蜥王(wang)龍數件著名標(biao)本情況如下:
正模omnh 1708長10.95米,重5噸。化石(shi)包括(kuo):薦(jian)椎,尾椎,頸椎,髂骨,坐骨,大(da)腿(tui)骨1.135米,脛骨,腓骨,趾骨(williamson and chure 1996)。
OMNH 1935,發(fa)現(xian)于(yu)美國,,一塊完整的肱(gong)骨化石(shi),這(zhe)塊化石(shi)的數據有多個版本(ben),根據最(zui)小的版本(ben),這(zhe)只(zhi)恐(kong)龍體重(zhong)約5噸(dun),和正模相仿;根據最(zui)大(da)版本(ben),則超過8噸(dun)甚至有9噸(dun)。
歐(ou)洲西班牙(ya)的一(yi)個長(chang)達(da)102厘米的足跡(ji)化石,但(dan)屬于食蜥王龍還存在一(yi)些爭(zheng)議。