| It's dinosaurs like this, the Majungasaurus, that can really be a handful. It's short, stocky and lives for the hunt. This is also one of the only dinosaurs we know of that may have engaged in cannibalistic behavior. Nothing like having your friends over for dinner. |
Majungasaurus is a genus of abelisaurid dinosaur in the Jurassic World Evolution series. A powerful predatory dinosaur originating from Late Cretaceous Africa, specifically Madagascar, and one of the best-studied theropods, Majungasaurus is unlocked by progressing through the Entertainment Division on Isla Sorna, and can subsequently be obtained in the Research Center.
The Majungasaurus was first added to the game with the Deluxe Dinosaur Pack.
History
Although InGen wasn't known to have cloned any specimens of Majungasaurus for exhibition in Jurassic World on Isla Nublar, by 2012, the company had possession of the carnivore's genetic material, which was used in part to create the genetically modified superpredator known as Indominus rex.[1]
At an indeterminate point, several adult Majungasaurus appeared in the wild after the events at the Lockwood Manor in 2018. In 2022, at least two known Majungasaurus (one individual was named Major) were being transported on a cargo ship. Major killed the other Majungasaurus and escaped before preying on a Gallimimus and menacing the Nublar Six until he was successfully recaptured. Major eventually escaped his confinement in Senegal and preyed on a lion before killing a Suchomimus.[2]
Characteristics
A medium-sized carnivorous theropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous period and measuring around 9 meters in length, Majungasaurus has a deep, blunt head with a bony lump at the top of its cranium. It also has a line of spines down on its back and bony osteoderms across its body. Its name means "Majunga Lizard", which references an older spelling for the location it was discovered. As the apex predator of its ecosystem, it uses its sharp teeth and powerful bite to tear flesh from its targets and is one of the few dinosaurs known to have eaten members of its own genera ā although research has not confirmed whether this cannibalistic behavior took the form of hunting or scavenging on carcasses. Majungasaurus appears to be more closely linked with similar dinosaurs in India than South Africa. It is also one of the few dinosaurs known to have eaten others of its kind. Its base genome is mainly light brown all over the body with dark brown stripes all over the body with white osteoderms.
Behaviour
Majungasaurus can live alone or in pairs. They're dangerous animals that will engage in death duels with herbivores that are far larger than themselves, and they will kill any dinosaur with low defense traits.
Despite their aggressive nature, Majungasaurus are one of the easier carnivorous dinosaurs to keep due to their relatively low comfort threshold.
Paleontology
Named after the location of its discovery (Mahajanga, Madagascar), the earliest Majungasaurus remains were discovered by an army officer in 1896 along the Betsiboka River in north-western Madagascar, when he noticed a series of fossils along the Betsiboka river. Further remains were unearthed throughout the 20th Century, offering evidence that it was a new genus ā and in 1955, French paleontologist RenĆ© Lavocat officially named it Majungasaurus crenatissimus.
Majungasaurus is a smaller, but close relative of Carnotaurus that is found exclusively in Madagascar. This dinosaur was briefly called Majungatholus ("Majunga Dome"), a name which is now considered a junior synonym of Majungasaurus.
The Abelisauroidea superfamily evolved from primitive carnivores such as Ceratosaurus from the Jurassic. They lived in continents and countries isolated from Laurasia; Asia, Europe, and North America. They could be found in Africa, Australia, India, Madagascar, and South America. Although a medium-sized carnivore growing between 5 to 8 m (16 to 26 ft) long and weighing 750 kg (1,650 lb) to more than 1 t (2,204 lb), Majungasaurus has been thus far the largest carnivore from Madagascar's Maevarano formation and was the top predator of its time.
There is also evidence for cannibalism in Majungasaurus, with bones showing bite marks that could only be made by other Majungasaurus. Albeit it's unclear if these cases represent scavenging on carcasses or active cannibalism.
A Majungasaurus.
Paleoecology
Majungasaurus lived on the island of Madagascar around 80ā66 million years ago, inhabiting along a coastal flood plain cut by many sandy river channels with a semi-arid climate. During the Late Cretaceous, Madagascar was already an island separated from India and Africa. The apex and largest predator in its era and environment, it lived alongside the sauropod Rapetosaurus (which was its main prey) as well as smaller carnivores such as Rahonavis (a dinosaur similar to Archaeopteryx and Microraptor) and Masiakasaurus, which belongs to the Noasauridae family; close relatives to Abelisaurids, but occupied a niche for smaller and more specialized hunters. Other fauna includes the large frog Beelzebufo and the notosuchian crocodyliform Simosuchus.
Available genomes
| Fossil icon | Dig site | Quality | Number available |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Maevarano Formation | ā
ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā |
2 6 12 8 |
Skins
Gallery
References
- ā Indominus rex. Jurassic World. Archived from the original on December 24, 2017.
- ā Kreamer, S., Hammersley, A., Spielberg, S., Trevorrow, C., Marshall, F. (Executive Producers). (2024ā2024). Jurassic World Chaos Theory [TV series]. Universal Pictures; DreamWorks Animation Television.
External links
- Majungasaurus on Wikipedia
