Acrocanthosaurus
Acrocanthosaurus was a large carnivorous theropod from the Lower Cretaceous in
what is now North America.
This theropod was particularly characterized by elongated spines on its
backbone, probably fitted with a sort of ridge skin, hence its name meaning
spiny lizard.
Description
Acrocanthosaurus was a large theropod (11 to 13 meters long and over 2.4 tonnes)
from the early Cretaceous.
In 1950, it was discovered in North America several skeletons of this huge
carnivorous dinosaur.
Acrocanthosaurus The name means "lizard backbones" and refers to the elongated
spines (up to 30 cm long) formed a protuberance on the spine of the animal.
These thorns were probably covered with skin, forming a ridge along the back.
Ridge Acrocanthosaurus was low compared to some of his relatives living
elsewhere in the world.
The thorns Altispinax Western Europe were four times longer than the vertebrae
supporting them, and the African Spinosaurus was a "veil" measuring 1.80 m high.
Anatomy
The Acrocanthosaurus, discovered in 1940, was a large theropod from the Early
Cretaceous.
It is easily distinguished by the fine tyrannosaurus collar extending from its
neck to its tail and the presence of three fingers on each of its front legs.
It has a relatively small head compared to its cousins Giganotosaurinae,
maxillae ornamented by very little compared to other Carcharodontosauridae (Mapusaurus
excepted), with a mandible highest in the caudal (character that is also found
in Tyrannosaurus by example).
The forelegs are short and powerful, and after quite consistent with that found
in Allosauroidea.
Another special addition to its vast size (it's one of the largest theropod ever
found) is the neural spines of the vertebrae are elongated.
Discovery
Several skeletons were discovered in the training Antlers USA.
Footprints of the animal have been discovered, including Texas.
