Carcharodontosaurs were the most powerful dinosaurs

I accept, since I have been interested in palaeozoology and ethology for a while, and this resolution is impossible to resist. == Definitions == The term "Carcharodontosaur" is generally not used in paleontology, and there are two possible interpretations of this: the clade Allosauroidea [1], the family Carcharodontosauridae [2], or the genus Carcharodontosaurus. [3] For the sake of being specific, I shall assume it is the genus that was being referred to. The term "powerful" is, in this sense, the term "formidable", defined by my opponent as "[the ability] to take down something larger in size, more intelligent, [or more formidable]", so it would be a versus situation. It seems Pro was implying solely carnivores; thus, I shall treat it as such. == Tyrannosaurus v. Carcharodontosaurus == I shall first defend the genus Tyrannosaurus, alluded to by Pro in R1, against Carcharodontosaurus. The genus Carcharodontosaurus has two species: C. iguidensis, and C. saharicus [4], while the genus Tyrannosaurus is generally agreed to have one species, T. rex. [5] (1) Bite Force Bite force is an important way to measure how formidable a genus of dinosaur is, since it impacts how different species kill prey and handle interspecies conflict. "The force exerted at one of T. rex's back teeth would have been between 7,868 and 12,814 pounds-force (35,000 and 57,000 newtons). This force would be akin to having a medium-size elephant sit on you." [6] According to biologist David Hone, "I would expect [Tyrannosaurus] to have the strongest bite simply because it has a proportionally short skull with huge attachment points for muscles. It's best built for biting hard, something echoed in the shape of its teeth", when comparing Tyrannosaurus with Spinosaurus, Giganotosaurus, and Carcharodontosaurus. [7] According to Manabu Sakamoto of the University of Bristol, "In terms of biting efficiency (the mechanical advantage),Carcharodontosaurus (and by phylogenetic inference, Giganotosaurus as well) have pretty impressive biting capabilities, but if you include muscle force and calculate bite force, then Tyrannosaurus beats these two by almost an order of magnitude." [7] Thus, Tyrannosaurus wins on bite force. (2) Intelligence & Senses Tyrannosaurus is generally considered a relatively intelligent genus of theropod. A study conducted by Lawrence Witmer and Ryan Ridgely of Ohio University added detail to the known sensory abilities of Tyrannosaurus, finding that they shared the heightened sensory abilities of other coelurosaurs, highlighting relatively rapid and coordinated eye and head movements, as well as an enhanced ability to sense low frequency sounds that would allow tyrannosaurs to track prey movements from long distances and an enhanced sense of smell. [8] Kant Stevens of the University of Oregon used modified perimetry to facial constructions of several dinosaurs, including T. rex, to demonstrate that Tyrannosaurus had a binocular range of 55 degrees, surpassing that of modern hawks. This meant that the vision of this species was more powerful than that of a hawk. [9] Both studies concluded that the reason for these enhanced senses was the unique prey the species hunted, unlike most other large theropods who hunted larger prey, e.g. Carcharodontosaurus. A study by Witmer, Ridgely, and Grant R. Hurlburt concluded that T. rex was the most intelligent non-avian dinosaur except Troodon, Ornithomimus, and Bambiraptor; thus, more intelligent than C. saharicus or C. iguidensis. [10] (3) Fighting Skills "The T.rex would have a slight edge [over a Carcharodontosaurus due to its better vision and larger brain but it would still be only a 52/48 advantage." [11] The sheer speed and bite force of the T. rex would probably allow it to prevail over a Carcharodontosaurus in battle, especially because Carcharodontosaurus was evolved to kill large prey that was defenseless except for size, while T. rex was adapted to kill smaller, but more formidable prey. Thus, one can conclude that T. rex is more powerful than Carcharodontosaurus. The resolution is resoundingly negated. == Sources == [1] http://en.wikipedia.org... [2] http://en.wikipedia.org... [3] http://en.wikipedia.org... [4] Brusatte, SL & Sereno, PC 2007, 'A new species of Carcharodontosaurus (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Cenomanian of Niger and a revision of the genus'. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, vol 27, no. 4, pp. 902-916. [5] http://www.scientificamerican.com... [6] http://www.livescience.com... [7] http://www.askabiologist.org.uk... [8] Witmer, Lawrence M., Ridgely, Ryan C. (Aug 26, 2009) New insights into the brain, braincase, and ear region of tyrannosaurs (Dinosauria, Theropoda), with implications for sensory organization and behavior. The Anatomical Record 292(9) 1266-1296. [9] http://tinyurl.com... [10] http://en.wikipedia.org... [11] http://en.allexperts.com...