Giganotosaurus

Giganotosaurus carolinii belongs to the Carcharodontosauridae, a group of carnivorous theropods with "shark-like" teeth. Along with spinosaurids, these predators dominated ecosystems in Gondwana and Africa until the rise of tyrannosaurids in the northern hemisphere. The holotype, MUCPv-CH-1, consists of about 70% of the skeleton. It includes the skull and is one of the most complete giant theropod fossils found outside the family Tyrannosauridae.

In terms of size, Giganotosaurus was similar to Tyrannosaurus rex, measuring 12–13 m long and weighing between 6.5 and 8 tonnes. Some referred fossils suggest even larger dimensions. The dinosaur had a long, narrow, and deep skull with blade-like teeth suited for slicing through meat. This contrasted with the oval, bone-crushing teeth of tyrannosaurids. Unlike their northern relatives, carcharodontosaurids retained three functional fingers on their hands. While their hindlimbs were relatively long for their size, biomechanical models indicate that Giganotosaurus was a fast walker rather than a sprinter.

Other members of the Carcharodontosauridae include its Patagonian relative Mapusaurus, as well as Carcharodontosaurus from Africa and Concavenator from Europe. Most of this family had disappeared by the time tyrannosaurids reached their peak in the Late Cretaceous.

Giganotosaurus lived in floodplain environments alongside the massive titanosaur Andesaurus. Its skull and bladed teeth suggest a hunting style specialized for inflicting deep, bleeding wounds on large prey, a different strategy than the crushing bite used by T. rex. While the holotype of Giganotosaurus was found alone, a bonebed of its relative Mapusaurus described by Coria & Currie (2006) suggests that some carcharodontosaurids engaged in social hunting. It is possible that Giganotosaurus followed a similar pattern.

Estimates of its bite force are lower than those for T. rex, supporting the theory that it relied on precision and slicing rather than raw power to kill.

• MUCPv-CH-1 — holotype, Museo Municipal Carmen Funes, Argentina; ~70% complete with skull.
• Referred specimens — additional Candeleros material, mostly cranial.
• Mapusaurus roseae bonebed (close relative) — multiple individuals, Argentina.

Maximum size — published estimates have ranged from ~12 to ~13.8 m for the holotype, with mass between 6 and 14 tonnes; the upper end is now considered unsupported and ~6.5–8 tonnes is the consensus range. Pack hunting — by direct inference from Mapusaurus, plausible for Giganotosaurus, but without a Giganotosaurus bonebed itself the evidence is indirect. Comparison with T. rex size — close, with T. rex probably slightly heavier on average but Giganotosaurus possibly slightly longer.

Giganotosaurus enjoyed a major popularity surge after Jurassic World Dominion (2022) cast it as the film's antagonist. It also appears in Prehistoric Planet (2023, season 2) in a scene showing it pursuing a titanosaur.

• theropoda
• tyrannosaurus-rex
• spinosaurus
• carnotaurus
• argentinosaurus

• Coria, R. A., & Salgado, L. (1995). A new giant carnivorous dinosaur from the Cretaceous of Patagonia. Nature, 377, 224–226.
• Coria, R. A., & Currie, P. J. (2006). A new carcharodontosaurid (Dinosauria, Theropoda) from the Upper Cretaceous of Argentina. Geodiversitas, 28, 71–118.
• Canale, J. I., et al. (2014). New specimens of Carcharodontosauridae from the Cenomanian of Argentina. Cretaceous Research, 51, 26–46.
• Therrien, F., & Henderson, D. M. (2007). My theropod is bigger than yours. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 27, 108–115.