Raptorex

Raptorex is a genus of tyrannosaurid found in China. It is known from a single juvenile specimen, found in Mongolia, in Nemegt Formation. The type species, R. kriegsteini, was described by Sereno in 2009. 

The Raptorex is now placed as nomen dubium and thought to be a juvenile individual of the Tarbosaurus bataar genus of reptiles, or a similar genus.Fowler, DW; Woodward, HN; Freedman, EA; Larson, PL; Horner, JR (2011). "Reanalysis of "Raptorex kriegsteini": A Juvenile Tyrannosaurid Dinosaur from Mongolia". PLOS ONE. 6 (6) e21376. 

A recent study suggests that it is not, and that it is a valid species. This study describes it as a very related genus to Tarbosaurus and Tyrannosaurus.Carr, Thomas D. (2022-11-25). "A reappraisal of tyrannosauroid fossils from the Iren Dabasu Formation (Coniacian–Campanian), Inner Mongolia, People's Republic of China". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 42 (5) e2199817. However, its validity is still questionable.

 Name 
The genus name is derived from Latin raptor, "robber", and rex, "king". The species name honours Roman Kriegstein, a survivor of the Holocaust.

 Description 

 Paleobiology 
Raptorex was a small tyrannosaurid, which likely resembled its contemporary Tarbosaurus, having characteristics similar to and shared with Dilong.

So far, the holotype (LH PV18) was estimated to be between 2.5 to 3 meters (6 to 10 feet) long and weigh 65 kg and died with 3 years old.

 References 

Category:Dinosaurs
Category:Dinosaurs of China
Category:Tyrannosaurids
Category:Cretaceous