Argentine Paleontologists have discovered a new kind of predatory dinosaur called Llukalkan Aliocranianus. It refers to Abeliusavridam – a group of two-legged large carnivorous dinosaurs, which lived in the southern hemisphere, while the Northern inhabited by the tyrannosaurs. The opening is reported in an article published in Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
Llukalkan was one of the largest predators of Patagonia, reaching five meters long. He had a sensitive smell and powerful jaws, and was also armed with sharp claws on the upper and lower limbs. The skull has characteristic protrusions that make it look like some modern reptiles, for example, Iguan. According to researchers estimates, the dinosaur also differed from other predators in sensitive hearing.
A distinctive feature of the dinosaur is a small rear axle-filled sinus in the middle ear zone, which has not yet been observed in any other abeliusavride. According to scientists, he has a hearing of modern crocodiles.
Llulkalan in the Language of Mapuche (Indian people in Chile and Argentina) means “the one who causes fear.” He inhabited the Patagonia about 80 million years ago, along with another Abelanis – Viavenator Exxoni. The fossil remains of Llukalkan and the Viaverator were found only 700 meters from each other in the formation of Baho-de-La Carp.
Almost 10 types of abeliusavride were found in Patagonia. These dinosaurs lived in other areas of the ancient mainland Gondwana, including the territory of modern Africa, India, Antarctica and Australia.