Majungasaurus

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***Majungasaurus*** is a genus of abelisaurid dinosaur that originated from Late Cretaceous Africa, specifically Madagascar. A powerful predatory dinosaur 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*.

## Characteristics

A medium-sized carnivorous theropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous period and measuring around nine 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 - 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 – and in 1955, French paleontologist René Lavocat officially named it *Majungasaurus*.

*Majungasaurus* is a close relative of *Carnotaurus* that is found exclusively in Madagascar. This dinosaur was briefly called *Majungatholus*, 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. *Majungasaurus* so far has been 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.

### Paleoecology

*Majungasaurus* lived on the island of Madagascar around 70-80 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 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* and *Masiakasaurus*, which belongs to the Noasauridae family; close relatives to Abelisaurids, but occupied a niche for smaller and more specialized hunters.

## Skins

 NULL

 ALPINE

 JUNGLE

 RAINFOREST

 STEPPE

 TUNDRA

## References

1. ↑ *Indominus rex*. Jurassic World. Archived from the original on December 24, 2017.