Type Species: Gojirasaurus quayi
Classification: Dinosauria - Saurischia - Theropoda - Coelophysoidea
Time Period: Late Triassic
Location: New Mexico
Diet: Carnivore
Gojirasaurus’ name means ‘Godzilla lizard’ and is named after (unsurprisingly) the infamous Japanese monster (Gojira is the Japanese name for Godzilla). One might think, then, that it was discovered in Asia, but its remains were actually uncovered in New Mexico. Why, then, the Japanese connection? The answer is two-fold: first, this predatory theropod was a monster for its time – a ‘Godzilla’, if you will. Second, a theropod dinosaur with the name Godzillasaurus exists in the Heisei era of Godzilla films, and in that continuity is explained to be the un-mutated form of Godzilla; thus the naming of this creature Gojirasaurus is, in essence, a play on Japanese film: “Here is the creature from which Godzilla mutated!” This is why, when searching for images of Gojirasaurus, you’ll come across a lot that have Godzilla’s spinal decorations. Alas, these additions are callbacks to Japanese cinematography rather than deciphered from the fossil record.
 |
| a rendition of Gojirasaurus that is heavy on the Godzilla connection |
Gojirasaurus lived in the Norian stage of the Late Triassic around 228 to 208 mya. It was one of the largest meat-eating dinosaurs of its time (if not the largest): it dwarfed Liliensternus and grew just shy of the length enjoyed by the early Jurassic Dilophosaurus. Scientists estimate it grew up to eighteen feet long and weighed between 330-440 pounds. Features of the pelvis and ankle suggest to some that the fossil specimen we have is from a juvenile; if that’s the case, an adult Gojirasaurus would’ve grown much larger, perhaps dwarfing even Dilophosaurus and its kin. For this reason it might be considered the ‘Allosaurus’ of its time.
No comments:
Post a Comment