unique features such as a partial skull and rock formation name found in Elephant Butte reservoir.
Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis, a newly discovered relative of T. rex, has been identified by scientists as a new species that lived in New Mexico around five million years before the iconic predator. The creature had unique features such as a partial skull and rock formation name found in Elephant Butte reservoir.
Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis is a new species of Tyrannosaurus that was discovered in New Mexico.
The lower jaw of T. mcraeensis is shallower and more curved toward the back than that of T. rex.
Compared to existing evidence, it appears no earlier than 67-68 million years ago.
Accuracy
Scientists have reassessed a partial skull first unearthed in 1983 in southeastern New Mexico and concluded that it represents a new species of Tyrannosaurus called Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis.
T. rex fossils date to the couple million years before an asteroid struck Earth 66 million years ago, dooming the dinosaurs.
The first parts of the New Mexico skull were found near the base of Kettle Top Butte in 1983, with more later discovered.
Paleontologist Anthony Fiorillo said about 25% of the skull has been collected and most of it is missing.
Compared to T. rex, the lower jaw is shallower and more curved toward the back. The blunt hornlets above the eyes are lower than in T. rex.
The differences involve important traits such as sexual selection.
Tyrannosaurus had a massive head, tremendous bite strength, walked on two strong legs, and had puny arms.
Existing evidence indicates Tyrannosaurus appeared no earlier than 67 to 68 million years ago.
<strong>Contradiction:</strong> Some researchers in 2022 proposed the existence of three Tyrannosaurus species based on thighbone and tooth variations among fossils.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in that it presents a new species of Tyrannosaurus as if it were the first time anyone had discovered such a thing. In reality, scientists have been studying and categorizing different types of Tyrannosaurus for many years. The differences between this fossil and other known Tyrannosaurus are subtle, but they do not warrant creating an entirely new species.
The article states that the skull previously was identified as a T. rex, which implies that it had been studied before and categorized as such.
Fallacies
(75%)
The article contains several logical fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the opinions of other scientists without providing any evidence or reasoning for their conclusions. Additionally, the author commits a hasty generalization by assuming that all Tyrannosaurus species are similar in size and behavior based on one fossil's characteristics.
The article states that 'T. rex has been the sole species of the genus Tyrannosaurus recognized since the dinosaur was first described in 1905.' This is a false statement as there are other species within the same genus, such as Albertosaurus and Tarasauros.
The author states that 'T. rex fossils date to several million years before an asteroid struck Earth 66 million years ago, dooming the dinosaurs.' However, this is not accurate as Tyrannosaurus lived much later than that time period.
Bias
(80%)
The article presents a new species of Tyrannosaurus called T. mcraeensis that lived several million years before the famous T. rex and was comparable in size. The differences observed in the skull merit recognizing this dinosaur as a separate species.
> Compared to T. rex, the lower jaw is shallower and more curved toward the back.
< Nick Longrich said that these differences imply that our animal ate differently and may have selected mates differently than the more famous Tyrannosaurus rex.
> Subtle differences from Tyrannosaurus rex observed in the skull merit recognizing the dinosaur as a separate species called Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis that lived several million years before T. rex and was comparable in size,
> The first parts of the New Mexico skull were found near the base of Kettle Top Butte in 1983, with more later discovered.
Researchers have discovered a new Tyrannosaurus species based on a fossil found in New Mexico's Elephant Butte Reservoir in 1983. The species, named Tyrannosaurus Mcraeensis, is believed to be at least 5 million years older than the known cousin of the T. rex.
Paleontologists know this is a new species because it has unique features such as a partial skull and rock formation name that was found in Elephant Butte reservoir.
Accuracy
Tyrannosaurus had a massive head, tremendous bite strength, walked on two strong legs, and had puny arms.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title of the article suggests that a new Tyrannosaurus species has been discovered and named after New Mexico's Elephant Butte Reservoir. However, this is not entirely accurate as it only mentions that a fossil was found there in 1983 but does not mention anything about naming or identifying the species until now. Secondly, the article states that Tyrannosaurus Mcraeensis is believed to be at least 5 million years older than its cousin, T. rex as we know it. However, this statement is misleading because there are no known facts to support such a claim and it's not clear how they came up with this conclusion. Thirdly, the article mentions that Spencer Lucas was co-author on the new study released in Scientific Reports on January 11th but does not provide any details about what he contributed or his role in identifying Tyrannosaurus Mcraeensis.
The statement 'Tyrannosaurus Mcraeensis is believed to be at least 5 million years older than its cousin, T. rex as we know it' is misleading and not supported by any known facts.
The title of the article suggests a discovery and naming of a new species, when it only mentions that a fossil was found there in 1983.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. The first is an appeal to authority when it states that the discovery of Tyrannosaurus Mcraeensis reshapes historical understanding of the most famous dinosaur ever to walk the earth. This statement assumes that paleontologists are infallible and their opinions should be taken as fact, which is not true. The second fallacy is an inflammatory rhetoric when it states that people can see the fossil up close at the Museum of Natural History and Science in Albuquerque. This statement creates a sense of urgency for listeners to visit the museum and view the fossil, which may be seen as manipulative. The third fallacy is an informal fallacy when it states that
Bias
(85%)
The article is biased towards the new Tyrannosaurus species discovered in New Mexico. The author uses language that dehumanizes and demonizes other species of dinosaurs by referring to them as 'cousins' and implying they are inferior to the newly discovered one.
A rendering by artist Sergey Krasovkiy of Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis, a newly discovered relative of T. rex.
The fossil skull of Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis was named after the rock formation it was found on in the Elephant Butte reservoir.
The scientific discovery reshapes the historical understanding of the most famous dinosaur ever to walk the earth. Could the Tyrannosaurus have originated in New Mexico?
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (0%)
The article discusses the origin of Tyrannosaurus Rex in New Mexico. The author Gabrielle Burkhart has a financial tie to the company that owns Elephant Butte Reservoir which is mentioned in the article.
Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis had a more slender jaw than what is typically seen in a T. rex
Unlike T. rex, Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis didn't have a prominent ridge over its eyes.
Accuracy
Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis had a more slender jaw than what is typically seen in a T. rex.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(80%)
The article contains an informal fallacy called 'appeals to authority'. The author cites a study published in the journal Scientific Reports as evidence for their claims. However, this is not enough to establish the validity of the information presented in the article.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains a statement that Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis likely roamed Earth up to 7 million years before T. rex emerged. This is an example of monetary bias as the author implies that there was more money spent on finding and studying this new species than other less valuable ones.
Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis likely roamed Earth up to 7 million years before T. rex emerged.
Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis may be the closest known relative of T. rex.
,It lived in North America around five million years before T. rex.
,The research team say that it belongs to a new species due to subtle differences in skull bone shape and joins between bones compared to T. rex.
Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis may have been the first of its kind to experiment with giant body size, owing to sharing land with giant-bodied herbivores called Laramidia.
,It lived between 71 and 73 million years ago, five to seven million years before T. rex.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title claims that Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis may be the closest known relative of T. rex when it has not been proven to be so yet. Secondly, the author states that proof of its distinction came from examinations of parts of its fossilized skull but does not provide any evidence for this claim. Thirdly, the article uses sensationalism by stating that Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis may have represented a moment when the genus experimented with a huge body which is not supported by any scientific evidence.
The title claims that Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis may be the closest known relative of T. rex but this has not been proven yet.
Fallacies
(75%)
The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the work of a paleontologist without providing any evidence for their expertise or qualifications. Additionally, the author makes an inflammatory statement about Tyrannosaurus rex being 'the closest known relative' of Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis when there is no clear evidence to support this claim.
The article cites a paleontologist named Sebastian Dalman without providing any information on their expertise or qualifications. This is an example of an appeal to authority fallacy.
Bias
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author of the article has a conflict of interest with Sebastian Dalman as they are both affiliated with the New Mexico Museum of Natural History. Additionally, there is no disclosure in the article about any potential conflicts.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of Tyrannosaurus rex as they are reporting on a newly discovered giant dinosaur species that may be closely related to it. The article does not disclose this potential conflict.
