馬普(pu)龍(long)是一(yi)種(zhong)大(da)型的獸腳類恐龍(long),屬于(yu)(yu)異特龍(long)超科中的鯊齒龍(long)類。馬普(pu)龍(long)屬下目前只有(you)一(yi)種(zhong),玫瑰馬普(pu)龍(long),生存時代為晚白堊世的晚塞諾曼(man)期至(zhi)早土倫期。馬普(pu)龍(long)的化(hua)石于(yu)(yu)1997至(zhi)2001年在加拿(na)大(da)-阿(a)根(gen)廷(ting)聯合科考項目中被(bei)發現于(yu)(yu)阿(a)根(gen)廷(ting)地區的烏因庫爾組。
屬名mapu取自馬普切語中的(de)單詞意為(wei)“大(da)地的(de)”,即“大(da)地的(de)蜥(xi)蜴”。種(zhong)名取自化石發現地的(de)玫瑰色巖層,同(tong)時也是紀念聯(lian)合科(ke)考的(de)贊助商Rose Letwin。
馬(ma)普龍的(de)化石發現(xian)于一個包含有多個個體的(de)骨(gu)床。
正型標本MCF-PVPH-108.1:包(bao)含(han)一件右側鼻骨。
馬普龍的(de)(de)鼻(bi)(bi)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)厚實(shi)且具有氣(qi)腔化的(de)(de)結構,表面具有粗糙的(de)(de)紋飾。左右側(ce)(ce)(ce)的(de)(de)鼻(bi)(bi)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)未愈合。鼻(bi)(bi)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)前(qian)(qian)端較(jiao)(jiao)后(hou)端更窄。眶(kuang)前(qian)(qian)窩(wo)較(jiao)(jiao)南方(fang)(fang)(fang)巨獸(shou)龍更為(wei)寬(kuan)大。上頜孔(kong)非常小(xiao)(xiao),與眶(kuang)前(qian)(qian)窗之間存(cun)在(zai)非常粗的(de)(de)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)質間隔。淚(lei)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)前(qian)(qian)突與下突交界處背側(ce)(ce)(ce)的(de)(de)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)質突起較(jiao)(jiao)南方(fang)(fang)(fang)巨獸(shou)龍要更加低矮。前(qian)(qian)額(e)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)在(zai)內外側(ce)(ce)(ce)向加寬(kuan)。齒間板(ban)較(jiao)(jiao)短且低矮。齒骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)內側(ce)(ce)(ce)麥氏(shi)溝位(wei)于更靠近(jin)背緣的(de)(de)位(wei)置。齒骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)前(qian)(qian)腹側(ce)(ce)(ce)緣更加平滑,向后(hou)延(yan)申的(de)(de)更多。顴(quan)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)上方(fang)(fang)(fang)顴(quan)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)突分成(cheng)兩個分支(zhi)。前(qian)(qian)部下頜舌骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)孔(kong)很(hen)小(xiao)(xiao),位(wei)于齒骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)上側(ce)(ce)(ce),與夾板(ban)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)貼近(jin)。第(di)三和第(di)二掌骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)愈合。肱骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)的(de)(de)遠端較(jiao)(jiao)寬(kuan),兩側(ce)(ce)(ce)的(de)(de)關(guan)(guan)節髁分隔不(bu)明(ming)顯。尾骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)短肌附(fu)著窩(wo)非常深,其上界達到了腸骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)坐(zuo)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)柄(bing)的(de)(de)背緣。頸(jing)椎(zhui)上骺(hou)呈柱狀,略微彎曲(qu),向遠端延(yan)申的(de)(de)過程中逐漸(jian)變細。樞(shu)椎(zhui)的(de)(de)左右后(hou)關(guan)(guan)節突指向內側(ce)(ce)(ce)。頸(jing)椎(zhui)神經棘高聳(song),前(qian)(qian)后(hou)向加寬(kuan),背側(ce)(ce)(ce)緣較(jiao)(jiao)為(wei)鋒利。坐(zuo)骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)柄(bing)呈現出明(ming)顯的(de)(de)彎曲(qu)。腓骨(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)(gu)纖細。
歸(gui)入(ru)標(biao)本MCF-PVPH-108.5:左側的(de)淚(lei)骨和前額骨。
歸入標本MCF-PVPH-108.45:右(you)側肱骨。
歸入標本MCF-PVPH-108.83:樞椎。
歸入(ru)標本MCF-PVPH-108.90:頸椎神經棘。
歸入標(biao)本(ben)MCF-PVPH-108.115:右(you)側上頜骨。
歸(gui)入(ru)標本(ben)MCF-PVPH-108.125:左側齒骨(gu)。
歸入標本MCF-PVPH-108.128:左側腸骨。
歸入標本MCF-PVPH-108.165:右(you)側(ce)腸骨。
歸入標本(ben)MCF-PVPH-108.167:顴骨。
歸入標本MCF-PVPH-108.177:右側眶后骨。
歸(gui)入標本(ben)MCF-PVPH-108.179:右側夾板(ban)骨。
歸入標本MCF-PVPH-108.202:右側腓骨。
馬(ma)普(pu)龍(long)(long)無疑是非常(chang)巨(ju)(ju)大的(de),其體(ti)型(xing)與它的(de)近親(qin)南(nan)方(fang)(fang)巨(ju)(ju)獸龍(long)(long)相仿。在(zai)對正型(xing)標本(ben)描述的(de)過程中(zhong),研(yan)究(jiu)人員發現馬(ma)普(pu)龍(long)(long)較大的(de)骨骼標本(ben)接近南(nan)方(fang)(fang)巨(ju)(ju)獸龍(long)(long)對應部(bu)位的(de)標本(ben)大小(xiao),于是粗(cu)略(lve)的(de)估(gu)計了(le)馬(ma)普(pu)龍(long)(long)的(de)體(ti)長(chang)大約在(zai)12米(mi)左右。古生(sheng)物(wu)學家托馬(ma)斯.霍茲在(zai)他的(de)研(yan)究(jiu)中(zhong)估(gu)計馬(ma)普(pu)龍(long)(long)的(de)體(ti)型(xing)大約在(zai)12.6米(mi)。而另外一項研(yan)究(jiu)則認(ren)為(wei)馬(ma)普(pu)龍(long)(long)的(de)體(ti)型(xing)略(lve)小(xiao)于南(nan)方(fang)(fang)巨(ju)(ju)獸龍(long)(long),體(ti)長(chang)約11.5米(mi),重5噸。
發(fa)現(xian)馬普龍(long)(long)(long)(long)化石的烏(wu)因庫(ku)爾組(zu)整體環境(jing)偏(pian)干(gan)燥,但是會有季節性的溪流出現(xian)。與馬普龍(long)(long)(long)(long)生存在同一地(di)區(qu)的恐(kong)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)還(huan)包(bao)括屬(shu)于泰坦(tan)巨龍(long)(long)(long)(long)類的阿根廷龍(long)(long)(long)(long)和喬(qiao)岡龍(long)(long)(long)(long),馳龍(long)(long)(long)(long)類的鷲龍(long)(long)(long)(long),以(yi)及屬(shu)于阿貝力龍(long)(long)(long)(long)類的蝎獵龍(long)(long)(long)(long)和肌肉龍(long)(long)(long)(long)。
馬(ma)普(pu)(pu)龍的(de)(de)多(duo)件標本(ben)在一個(ge)骨床里被發(fa)現(xian)(xian),里面至少包括了7件處(chu)于(yu)不同(tong)個(ge)體(ti)發(fa)育階段的(de)(de)標本(ben)。這種不同(tong)年(nian)齡段的(de)(de)個(ge)體(ti)在同(tong)一地(di)區被一同(tong)發(fa)現(xian)(xian)的(de)(de)情況也(ye)(ye)見于(yu)其(qi)(qi)它大(da)型獸(shou)腳類恐(kong)龍,這其(qi)(qi)中包括馬(ma)普(pu)(pu)龍的(de)(de)遠親異特龍,以及更晚出現(xian)(xian)的(de)(de)大(da)型暴龍類懼(ju)龍和艾伯塔龍。古生物(wu)學家認為(wei)多(duo)個(ge)處(chu)于(yu)不同(tong)年(nian)齡段的(de)(de)個(ge)體(ti)在同(tong)一地(di)區被發(fa)現(xian)(xian)顯示馬(ma)普(pu)(pu)龍可能存在群體(ti)狩獵的(de)(de)行為(wei)。群體(ti)狩獵可以增加狩獵的(de)(de)成(cheng)功率(lv),尤其(qi)(qi)是在對(dui)付諸如(ru)阿根(gen)廷(ting)龍這樣的(de)(de)大(da)型獵物(wu)的(de)(de)時候(hou)。成(cheng)年(nian)阿根(gen)廷(ting)龍體(ti)長約40米,猶(you)如(ru)一座(zuo)移動(dong)的(de)(de)肉(rou)山(shan),即使是成(cheng)年(nian)的(de)(de)馬(ma)普(pu)(pu)龍單(dan)獨狩獵這種巨型獵物(wu)也(ye)(ye)是十分危(wei)險的(de)(de)。
目前對于(yu)馬(ma)普(pu)龍的(de)系統位置(zhi)的(de)主(zhu)流觀點是屬(shu)于(yu)異特(te)龍超科(ke)的(de)鯊齒龍類,與南方巨(ju)獸(shou)龍處于(yu)姐妹群的(de)關系。
馬(ma)(ma)(ma)普(pu)(pu)龍登(deng)場于2011年的(de)紀(ji)錄片《恐龍星球(qiu)》。片中將馬(ma)(ma)(ma)普(pu)(pu)龍描述為體型巨大(da)的(de)群(qun)居掠食者,并合作(zuo)捕食阿根廷龍。影(ying)片中還(huan)提到一種觀點,認(ren)為諸如馬(ma)(ma)(ma)普(pu)(pu)龍這樣的(de)大(da)型異特(te)龍類并不需(xu)要完全殺死(si)獵物(wu),只需(xu)從獵物(wu)身上(shang)撕(si)下(xia)足充饑的(de)肉塊就可以了。至于真實情況(kuang)下(xia)馬(ma)(ma)(ma)普(pu)(pu)龍是否會(hui)群(qun)體狩獵,這還(huan)需(xu)要更多的(de)證據支持(chi)。
2006年(nian),科里(li)(li)亞(ya)與(yu)柯(ke)爾(er)的(de)(de)(de)親緣分支分類(lei)(lei)法研究顯(xian)示(shi)馬(ma)(ma)普(pu)(pu)(pu)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)屬于鯊(sha)(sha)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)科,而(er)馬(ma)(ma)普(pu)(pu)(pu)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)股骨(gu)(gu)上的(de)(de)(de)結構(gou)物(wu)顯(xian)示(shi)它們(men)與(yu)南(nan)(nan)方(fang)巨(ju)(ju)(ju)(ju)獸龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)關系較近(jin)(jin),而(er)離鯊(sha)(sha)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)較遠(yuan)(yuan)。科里(li)(li)亞(ya)與(yu)柯(ke)爾(er)根據這層(ceng)關系,提(ti)出一個(ge)新的(de)(de)(de)單系群分類(lei)(lei),南(nan)(nan)方(fang)巨(ju)(ju)(ju)(ju)獸龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)科。該(gai)亞(ya)科的(de)(de)(de)定義為(wei):在鯊(sha)(sha)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)科之(zhi)中,親緣關系較接(jie)近(jin)(jin)南(nan)(nan)方(fang)巨(ju)(ju)(ju)(ju)獸龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)與(yu)馬(ma)(ma)普(pu)(pu)(pu)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long),而(er)離鯊(sha)(sha)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)較遠(yuan)(yuan)的(de)(de)(de)所有物(wu)種。魁(kui)紂龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)暫時被分類(lei)(lei)于南(nan)(nan)方(fang)巨(ju)(ju)(ju)(ju)獸龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)科,需(xu)要(yao)更詳細的(de)(de)(de)敘述才能(neng)做更正確的(de)(de)(de)分類(lei)(lei)。經過2013年(nian)的(de)(de)(de)重新研究,特別是對(dui)魁(kui)紂龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)骨(gu)(gu)骼(ge)的(de)(de)(de)詳細研究,發(fa)現魁(kui)紂龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)和南(nan)(nan)方(fang)巨(ju)(ju)(ju)(ju)獸龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)以(yi)及馬(ma)(ma)普(pu)(pu)(pu)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)關系更為(wei)接(jie)近(jin)(jin),而(er)離鯊(sha)(sha)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)較遠(yuan)(yuan)一點,隨后(hou),科學界(jie)廢除了南(nan)(nan)方(fang)巨(ju)(ju)(ju)(ju)獸龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)科,建立了南(nan)(nan)方(fang)巨(ju)(ju)(ju)(ju)獸龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)族,包括了阿根廷的(de)(de)(de)巨(ju)(ju)(ju)(ju)型鯊(sha)(sha)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)科恐龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long),并(bing)將(jiang)南(nan)(nan)方(fang)巨(ju)(ju)(ju)(ju)獸龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)、馬(ma)(ma)普(pu)(pu)(pu)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)、魁(kui)紂龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)分入該(gai)族,并(bing)且將(jiang)南(nan)(nan)方(fang)巨(ju)(ju)(ju)(ju)獸龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)科歸入鯊(sha)(sha)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)亞(ya)科之(zhi)中,代表著鯊(sha)(sha)齒(chi)(chi)(chi)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)、馬(ma)(ma)普(pu)(pu)(pu)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)、南(nan)(nan)方(fang)巨(ju)(ju)(ju)(ju)獸龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)、魁(kui)紂龍(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)(long)的(de)(de)(de)親緣十分接(jie)近(jin)(jin),并(bing)構(gou)成(cheng)了一個(ge)血緣關系很接(jie)近(jin)(jin)的(de)(de)(de)演化支。
古生物(wu)學家羅多(duo)爾夫·科里亞否定他(ta)(ta)之前所提出的(de)假說,他(ta)(ta)在一個(ge)(ge)會議上提出這個(ge)(ge)化石集合(he)處,直接顯示了(le)馬(ma)(ma)普(pu)龍會以群體(ti)團結(jie)合(he)作的(de)方式獵(lie)食,共同(tong)圍捕(bu)(bu)大(da)(da)型(xing)獵(lie)物(wu),例如巨大(da)(da)的(de)蜥腳(jiao)類恐龍。這骨(gu)床是除(chu)了(le)異(yi)特龍以外的(de)大(da)(da)型(xing)獸腳(jiao)類恐龍群體(ti)獵(lie)食的(de)第(di)一個(ge)(ge)大(da)(da)量(liang)證據。但有(you)少數科學家表示,他(ta)(ta)們仍不肯定馬(ma)(ma)普(pu)龍是以有(you)組織的(de)群體(ti)合(he)作方式獵(lie)食,還是以隨機聚集的(de)方式獵(lie)食。但絕大(da)(da)多(duo)數的(de)研究人員都同(tong)意(yi)前者,并認為馬(ma)(ma)普(pu)龍很可能(neng)時常過著群居(ju)生活,一起(qi)合(he)作捕(bu)(bu)食。
馬(ma)普(pu)(pu)龍(long)的(de)屬名為(wei)Mapusaurus,其中(zhong)"Mapu"來自于馬(ma)普(pu)(pu)切人(ren)的(de)字詞(ci),意為(wei)"陸地(di)(di)的(de)"或"大地(di)(di)的(de)",而"sauros"在(zai)希臘文(wen)中(zhong)意為(wei)"蜥蜴(yi)"。模(mo)式種為(wei)玫瑰(gui)馬(ma)普(pu)(pu)龍(long)(Mapusaurus roseae),是以化石(shi)所發(fa)現(xian)的(de)玫瑰(gui)色巖石(shi)為(wei)名。
科里亞與柯爾在2006年將馬普龍(long)(long)鑒定為一種獸(shou)腳亞目(mu)鯊齒龍(long)(long)科恐(kong)龍(long)(long),與南方巨獸(shou)龍(long)(long)的(de)差異為頭(tou)顱骨(gu)有厚、多(duo)皺紋(wen)、未固定的(de)鼻(bi)骨(gu),鼻(bi)骨(gu)與上(shang)(shang)顎(e)骨(gu)和(he)淚(lei)骨(gu)的(de)接合處前(qian)(qian)段(duan)較狹窄(zhai);眶前(qian)(qian)窩在上(shang)(shang)顎(e)骨(gu)之(zhi)上(shang)(shang)有較大的(de)延伸(shen);較小的(de)上(shang)(shang)顎(e)孔(kong);眶前(qian)(qian)孔(kong)與上(shang)(shang)顎(e)孔(kong)之(zhi)間有較寬的(de)骨(gu)棒;位(wei)置(zhi)較低、較平坦的(de)淚(lei)骨(gu)角(jiao);額前(qian)(qian)骨(gu)橫切面(mian)與淚(lei)骨(gu)寬度相比較寬;眼瞼骨(gu)腹側(ce)面(mian)往(wang)(wang)后緣彎(wan)曲;較淺(qian)的(de)齒間骨(gu)板;美克耳氏館(guan)的(de)位(wei)置(zhi)較高;齒骨(gu)后腹側(ce)緣更往(wang)(wang)后傾(qing)斜。
玫瑰馬普龍的獨特處(chu)在于(yu):顴(quan)骨的上(shang)方顴(quan)骨突分(fen)裂(lie)成兩叉、下顎(e)舌骨的前孔小(xiao),位于(yu)齒骨與(yu)夾(jia)骨連接處(chu)上(shang)方、第(di)二與(yu)第(di)三掌骨固定、肱(gong)骨有較寬(kuan)的末端,跟髁狀突之間(jian)有小(xiao)分(fen)隔、腸骨的短肌窩往坐骨腳(jiao)延伸。
主(zhu)要辨(bian)認要訣:腦袋很(hen)(hen)長很(hen)(hen)大(da),前肢很(hen)(hen)短小,軀干瘦,眶前孔(kong)很(hen)(hen)大(da),牙齒(chi)非常鋒利。
馬普龍(long)的化石發現于阿根廷(ting)的烏(wu)因(yin)(yin)庫(ku)(ku)爾組(zu)(Huincul Formation)。烏(wu)因(yin)(yin)庫(ku)(ku)爾組(zu)(Huincul Formation)地層的年(nian)代大致為(wei)白堊(e)紀中(zhong)期(qi)的森(sen)諾曼階到(dao)白堊(e)紀晚期(qi)的科尼亞克階,距今約9700萬(wan)年(nian)到(dao)8600萬(wan)年(nian)前。蜥腳(jiao)下目的阿根廷(ting)龍(long),也是在烏(wu)因(yin)(yin)庫(ku)(ku)爾組(zu)里被發現,此外該組(zu)發現的還有阿貝力(li)龍(long)科的食肉(rou)恐龍(long)肌肉(rou)龍(long)和(he)蝎獵龍(long)。
馬普龍(long)化石(shi)所處的(de)(de)(de)年(nian)代(dai),以前(qian)(qian)被認為來自于9700萬(wan)(wan)年(nian)前(qian)(qian)至9400萬(wan)(wan)年(nian)前(qian)(qian)之間森諾(nuo)曼階(jie)的(de)(de)(de)地(di)層。這也意味著,和(he)它們的(de)(de)(de)近親南(nan)方(fang)巨獸龍(long)以及龐大的(de)(de)(de)阿根廷龍(long)生活在(zai)同一(yi)時期。但在(zai)2013年(nian),其(qi)他科(ke)學家(jia)重新鑒定馬普龍(long)化石(shi)發現(xian)(xian)地(di)層的(de)(de)(de)地(di)質年(nian)代(dai),發現(xian)(xian)馬普龍(long)化石(shi)的(de)(de)(de)年(nian)代(dai)其(qi)實應為晚(wan)白(bai)堊紀時的(de)(de)(de)科(ke)尼亞克階(jie),約8700萬(wan)(wan)年(nian)前(qian)(qian)的(de)(de)(de)白(bai)堊紀晚(wan)期。馬普龍(long)的(de)(de)(de)生存時代(dai)相當晚(wan)期,是生存時期最(zui)晚(wan)的(de)(de)(de)已(yi)命名(ming)的(de)(de)(de)鯊齒龍(long)科(ke)恐龍(long)。