What makes Mapusaurus scientifically significant?

Mapusaurus provides critical insights into the evolutionary radiation of Theropoda. Holotypes and fossil evidence indicate: Extensive monodominant bonebed containing disarticulated skeletons of nine individuals.

Mapusaurus (Mapusaurus roseae Coria & Currie, 2006) - Size, Diet & Cretaceous Period Facts

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Mapusaurus (Mapusaurus roseae Coria & Currie, 2006) - Size, Diet & Cretaceous Period Facts | DinoOrigin

Evolutionary Taxonomy & Cladistics

View Dinosaur Phylogeny

Phylogenetic classification of Mapusaurus roseae Coria & Currie, 2006 based on peer-reviewed cladistic analyses of diagnostic skeletal synapomorphies.

Taxonomic Rank	Taxon / Clade	Diagnostic Context
Kingdom	Animalia	Monophyletic prehistoric clade
Phylum	Chordata	Monophyletic prehistoric clade
Clade	Dinosauria	Monophyletic prehistoric clade
Order	Saurischia (Lizard-Hipped Dinosaurs)	Characterized ancestrally by a triradiate pelvis with an anteriorly pointing pubis.
Suborder	Theropoda	Bipedal saurischian dinosaurs, historically dominated by carnivores and including the avian lineage.
Genus	Mapusaurus	Monophyletic prehistoric clade
Species	Mapusaurus roseae Coria & Currie, 2006	Specific authority designation

Anatomy & Physical Characteristics

Mapusaurus was a colossal carcharodontosaurid that reached over 12 meters in length and weighed more than four tons. Discovered in the Huincul Formation of Neuquén Province, Argentina, it lived alongside Argentinosaurus, one of the largest sauropods in history.

Over 300 bones representing at least nine individuals of various sizes were excavated together in a single quarry, providing compelling fossil evidence that large carcharodontosaurids engaged in pack hunting to bring down gigantic titanosaur sauropods.

Diagnostic Morphological Traits

Immense bipedal theropod with a deep, rough-textured skull, heavily serrated blade teeth, and powerful legs.

Comparative Scale & Biometrics

Anatomical dimensions relative to an average adult human (1.8 m / 6 ft tall)

Approx. 7.0× human length

Mapusaurus (Length)11.5–12.6 m (37.7–41.3 ft)

Adult Human1.8 m (6.0 ft)

Length

11.5–12.6 m (37.7–41.3 ft)

Height

3.5–4.1 m (11.5–13.5 ft)

Estimated Mass

4.0–5.5 metric tons (8,818–12,125 lbs)

Diet & Feeding Ecology

All Carnivore Species

Trophic Guild: Carnivore

Flesh-slicing macropredator feeding on titanosaurs like Argentinosaurus.

Paleobiology & Behavior

Colossal carcharodontosaurid theropod documented by a massive bonebed containing multiple individuals of varying ages. In the Huincul Formation of Argentina, Mapusaurus hunted or scavenged the gigantic titanosaur Argentinosaurus, representing a close evolutionary relative to Giganotosaurus.

Habitat & Ecological Biome

Prehistoric Depositional Setting

Seasonal braided river basins, open semi-arid scrublands, and broad floodplains.

Fossil Evidence & Specimen Records

Preserved Skeletal Material & Bonebeds

Extensive monodominant bonebed containing disarticulated skeletons of nine individuals.

Discovery & Taxonomic Naming History

Year of Discovery / Description1995

Type Specimen Locality & FormationHuincul Formation, Neuquén, Argentina

Excavated during the Argentine-Canadian Dinosaur Project by Rodolfo Coria and Philip Currie.

Geological Era & Chronostratigraphy

Explore All Cretaceous Period Fauna

Cretaceous Period PeriodTemporal Interval: 97–93 Ma (million years ago)

The longest and final period of the Mesozoic Era, characterized by the rise of flowering plants, ceratopsians, hadrosaurs, tyrannosaurids, and concluding with the Chicxulub asteroid impact.

Where It Lived & Paleoenvironment

South America Dinosaurs

During the Mesozoic Era, continental drift progressively reconfigured land bridges, atmospheric currents, and regional precipitation regimes. Fossils of Mapusaurus evidence its adaptation to the paleoenvironments of South America.

Paleogeographic RealmSouth America (South America)

Preserved within the Huincul, Candeleros, and Ischigualasto formations, hosting colossal titanosaurs and specialized abelisaurid and carcharodontosaurid apex predators.

Fossil Discovery Locality

Scientific Significance & Evolutionary Impact

The anatomical architecture of Mapusaurus serves as a crucial benchmark in vertebrate paleontology, illustrating key adaptive radiations within Theropoda.

Phylogenetic Placement: Informs cladistic debates concerning the divergence, skull biomechanics, and skeletal evolution of Cretaceous Period fauna.
Paleoecological Guild: Documents trophic specialization (Carnivore) and predator-prey dynamics across its regional ecosystem.
Taphonomic Record: Extensive monodominant bonebed containing disarticulated skeletons of nine individuals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mapusaurus

Scientifically verified answers based on peer-reviewed paleontological evidence.

Q1.When did Mapusaurus live?

Mapusaurus lived during the Cretaceous Period Period, approximately 97–93 Ma (million years ago). This places it within the Mesozoic Era.

Q2.How big was Mapusaurus?

Paleontological estimates place Mapusaurus at a length of 11.5–12.6 m (37.7–41.3 ft), a hip/standing height of 3.5–4.1 m (11.5–13.5 ft), and a body mass of 4.0–5.5 metric tons (8,818–12,125 lbs).

Q3.What was the diet of Mapusaurus?

Classified as a carnivore, Mapusaurus specialized in consuming Flesh-slicing macropredator feeding on titanosaurs like Argentinosaurus..

Q4.Where were Mapusaurus fossils discovered?

Fossil specimens of Mapusaurus have been recovered from Huincul Formation, Neuquén, Argentina, with notable historic specimens documented in 1995. Excavated during the Argentine-Canadian Dinosaur Project by Rodolfo Coria and Philip Currie.

Academic Literature & Peer-Reviewed References

Authoritative citations establishing the factual taxonomy, biometrics, and anatomy of Mapusaurus.

GeodiversitasView Publication
Coria, R. A., & Currie, P. J. (2006). A new carcharodontosaurid (Dinosauria, Theropoda) from the Upper Cretaceous of Argentina. Geodiversitas, 28(1), 71-118.
Curated & Verified: 2026-09-24

Mapusaurus

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