Thanatotheristes degrootorum
February 10, 2020 3:05 PM Subscribe
’Reaper of death’: Fearsome new dinosaur species discovered in Alberta [Calgary Herald]
New species of tyrannosaur identified following Alberta fossil discovery [CTV News]
'Reaper of death': scientists discover new dinosaur species related to T rex [The Guardian]
A new tyrannosaurine (Theropoda:Tyrannosauridae) from the Campanian Foremost Formation of Alberta, Canada, provides insight into the evolution and biogeography of tyrannosaurids [Abstract on sciencedirect.com]
New species of tyrannosaur identified following Alberta fossil discovery [CTV News]
'Reaper of death': scientists discover new dinosaur species related to T rex [The Guardian]
A new tyrannosaurine (Theropoda:Tyrannosauridae) from the Campanian Foremost Formation of Alberta, Canada, provides insight into the evolution and biogeography of tyrannosaurids [Abstract on sciencedirect.com]
Wow, he even comes in blue and orange so they can put him straight in a video game/movie poster..
posted by biffa at 3:56 PM on February 10, 2020 [7 favorites]
posted by biffa at 3:56 PM on February 10, 2020 [7 favorites]
Was this named by teenage boys? Killbeast Manly-stomp-osaur!
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 4:02 PM on February 10, 2020 [6 favorites]
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 4:02 PM on February 10, 2020 [6 favorites]
Ahem. He comes in Orange and Blue because CHOMP.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 4:04 PM on February 10, 2020
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 4:04 PM on February 10, 2020
The new species is named Thanatotheristes degrootorum, which combines the Greek word for “reaper of death” with the name of a southern Alberta couple, the DeGroots, who happened upon the fossil fragments along the shore of the Bow River west of Medicine Hat in 2010.
Neat. Having a dinosaur named after you would be a pretty badass claim to fame.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 4:10 PM on February 10, 2020 [4 favorites]
Neat. Having a dinosaur named after you would be a pretty badass claim to fame.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 4:10 PM on February 10, 2020 [4 favorites]
Indeed. I am pleased to see it named for the discoverers. Half the newer buildings on campus at my alma mater are named The Michael C. DeGroote Centre For _______ and I was briefly worried that his philanthropic endeavours now included having entire species named for him.
Q: Why can’t tyrannosauruses clap their hands together?
A: Because they have all been dead for >60 million years.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 4:58 PM on February 10, 2020 [15 favorites]
Q: Why can’t tyrannosauruses clap their hands together?
A: Because they have all been dead for >60 million years.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 4:58 PM on February 10, 2020 [15 favorites]
degrootorum
I was sure that this was some kind of I am Groot thing...
posted by Splunge at 5:17 PM on February 10, 2020 [3 favorites]
I was sure that this was some kind of I am Groot thing...
posted by Splunge at 5:17 PM on February 10, 2020 [3 favorites]
The most obvious were prominent vertical ridges along the upper jaw line.
I guess the ridges were just decorations and served no known purpose?
Just a happy accident? Scary accident? Cool accident? One of those.
posted by RuvaBlue at 5:31 PM on February 10, 2020 [2 favorites]
I was sure that this was some kind of I am Groot thing...
His line is "Sum degrootorum" in the Latin dub for the small but crucial Vatican market.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 5:40 PM on February 10, 2020 [8 favorites]
His line is "Sum degrootorum" in the Latin dub for the small but crucial Vatican market.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 5:40 PM on February 10, 2020 [8 favorites]
I guess the ridges were just decorations and served no known purpose?
Just a happy accident? Scary accident? Cool accident? One of those.
In the archives of the now-defunct Brunching Shuttlecocks from MeFi's own lore, we have an assessment of the dimetrodon, with its distinctive sail fan on its back. I quote the relevant bit in full:
Just a happy accident? Scary accident? Cool accident? One of those.
In the archives of the now-defunct Brunching Shuttlecocks from MeFi's own lore, we have an assessment of the dimetrodon, with its distinctive sail fan on its back. I quote the relevant bit in full:
Dimetrodonposted by ricochet biscuit at 5:49 PM on February 10, 2020 [15 favorites]
Looks like a gecko with a mohawk. Big sail on its back that they think attracted mates or conserved body heat. Actually, that's what scientists say about anything on an animal they don't understand. They could find evidence of an iguanadon with a ZZ Top beard and they'd say "the beard was probably to conserve body heat or attract mates." Which, come to think of it, is probably what ZZ Top uses them for.
Another reason to not visit Calgary.
posted by bz at 6:00 PM on February 10, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by bz at 6:00 PM on February 10, 2020 [1 favorite]
Degrootorum? Hell it damn near killed 'im
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 6:46 PM on February 10, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 6:46 PM on February 10, 2020 [3 favorites]
i look forward to the eventual Tingler where a thanatotheristes mba hooks up with bigfoot the pool boy
posted by poffin boffin at 10:20 PM on February 10, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by poffin boffin at 10:20 PM on February 10, 2020 [1 favorite]
Calgary is my alma mater. I have fond memories off Rex O'Saurus. I wonder if the new mascot will be the Reaper of Death? I'm cool with that, Calgarians have been way to nice long enough.
posted by waving at 5:40 AM on February 11, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by waving at 5:40 AM on February 11, 2020 [1 favorite]
Half the newer buildings on campus at my alma mater are named The Michael C. DeGroote Centre For _______ and I was briefly worried that his philanthropic endeavours now included having entire species named for him.
This is Calgary we're talking about, naming things after Ontarians might be a bit of a no-go.
(And yes, I've also wondered how long it will take for DeGroote U to just outright rename itself DeGroote U.)
posted by blerghamot at 9:42 AM on February 11, 2020
This is Calgary we're talking about, naming things after Ontarians might be a bit of a no-go.
(And yes, I've also wondered how long it will take for DeGroote U to just outright rename itself DeGroote U.)
posted by blerghamot at 9:42 AM on February 11, 2020
It was named reaper of death (Thanatotheristes degrootorum) BECAUSE IT WAS THE MOST METAL NAME THEY COULD THINK OF
posted by doctornemo at 12:08 PM on February 11, 2020
posted by doctornemo at 12:08 PM on February 11, 2020
"He says he's come about the reaping."
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 12:57 PM on February 11, 2020
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 12:57 PM on February 11, 2020
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posted by Greg_Ace at 3:49 PM on February 10, 2020 [5 favorites]