{"product_id":"cryolophosaurus-ellioti-4","title":"Cryolophosaurus ellioti","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"29\" style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1\" data-end=\"28\"\u003eCryolophosaurus ellioti\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e was a theropod dinosaur from the Early Jurassic of Antarctica, known from fossil remains recovered from the Hanson Formation in the Transantarctic Mountains. It lived during the Sinemurian–Pliensbachian, approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"248\" data-end=\"277\" style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e190–185 million years ago\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e, when Antarctica formed part of Gondwana and experienced a climate very different from that of today. Although located at high latitudes, the continent was not permanently covered by ice and supported temperate forests, fluvial systems and a diverse terrestrial fauna.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"qMYqUG_convSearchResultHighlightRoot\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\" data-turn-id-container=\"request-6a5dbd41-4b78-83eb-bdb1-9c8884dec0d4-26\" data-is-intersecting=\"true\"\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none [\u0026amp;:has([data-writing-block])\u0026gt;*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\" data-turn-id=\"request-6a5dbd41-4b78-83eb-bdb1-9c8884dec0d4-26\" data-turn-id-container=\"request-6a5dbd41-4b78-83eb-bdb1-9c8884dec0d4-26\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-16\" data-turn=\"assistant\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-8 [--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-xs,calc(var(--spacing)*4))] @w-sm\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-sm,calc(var(--spacing)*6))] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-lg,calc(var(--spacing)*16))] px-(--thread-content-margin)\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-conversation-screenshot-content=\"\" class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"95ba4cbb-0cb6-44a1-be26-f4007e069f0c\" data-turn-start-message=\"true\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-6-thinking\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"LR5Y_W_content markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full light markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"548\" data-end=\"947\"\u003eFormally described in 1994 by William Hammer and William Hickerson, \u003cem data-start=\"616\" data-end=\"641\"\u003eCryolophosaurus ellioti\u003c\/em\u003e was one of the first large dinosaurs discovered in Antarctica and remains one of the most iconic theropods from the continent. Its name means “frozen crested lizard”, referring both to the polar environment in which it was discovered and to the spectacular transverse crest positioned on top of the skull.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"949\" data-end=\"1429\"\u003eTaxonomically, \u003cem data-start=\"964\" data-end=\"989\"\u003eCryolophosaurus ellioti\u003c\/em\u003e occupies an important position in the early evolution of large theropods. It has traditionally been regarded as a basal tetanuran or as a form close to Dilophosauridae, although different phylogenetic analyses have produced varying results. Its anatomy combines relatively primitive features with more derived characteristics, making it an important taxon for understanding the early diversification of theropods during the Early Jurassic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1431\" data-end=\"1919\"\u003eFrom a morphometric perspective, \u003cem data-start=\"1464\" data-end=\"1489\"\u003eCryolophosaurus ellioti\u003c\/em\u003e was a medium- to large-sized predator. Common estimates place it at approximately \u003cstrong data-start=\"1572\" data-end=\"1601\"\u003e6–7 metres in body length\u003c\/strong\u003e, with a mass of several hundred kilograms. Its body was bipedal, relatively slender and muscular, with long and powerful hind limbs, an elongated tail for balance and functional forelimbs. These proportions suggest an active animal adapted for efficient movement through both open and wooded terrestrial environments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1921\" data-end=\"2438\"\u003eThe skull was relatively tall and narrow, with jaws equipped with recurved and serrated teeth adapted for gripping and slicing flesh. Its most distinctive feature, however, was the large transverse cranial crest, orientated approximately from side to side across the upper region of the skull. This structure was thin and poorly suited to withstanding significant mechanical loads, so it is interpreted primarily as a visual display structure involved in individual recognition, social signalling or sexual selection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"2440\" data-end=\"2918\"\u003eThe crest of \u003cem data-start=\"2453\" data-end=\"2470\"\u003eCryolophosaurus\u003c\/em\u003e was very different from the longitudinal structures seen in theropods such as \u003cem data-start=\"2549\" data-end=\"2564\"\u003eDilophosaurus\u003c\/em\u003e or \u003cem data-start=\"2568\" data-end=\"2585\"\u003eMonolophosaurus\u003c\/em\u003e. Its transverse orientation and blade-like appearance created an extremely distinctive cranial silhouette. In life, it may have been covered by keratin or vascularised soft tissues, potentially increasing its apparent size and allowing striking colour patterns, although such tissues are not directly preserved in the fossil record.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"2920\" data-end=\"3337\"\u003eThe dentition and cranial construction indicate that \u003cem data-start=\"2973\" data-end=\"2998\"\u003eCryolophosaurus ellioti\u003c\/em\u003e was a predator of vertebrates. It probably hunted herbivorous dinosaurs and other small- to medium-sized animals and would also have scavenged when opportunities arose. Large basal sauropodomorphs such as \u003cem data-start=\"3204\" data-end=\"3220\"\u003eGlacialisaurus\u003c\/em\u003e and other vertebrates are known from the same environment and may have represented potential prey or food resources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"3339\" data-end=\"3734\"\u003eThe hind limbs were adapted for bipedal locomotion, with strong femora and tibiae and tridactyl feet capable of supporting body weight and generating a relatively efficient stride. Although it was not a specialised runner in the same sense as smaller theropods, its overall build indicates a combination of strength and mobility well suited to a large terrestrial predator of the Early Jurassic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"3736\" data-end=\"4241\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"3736\" data-end=\"3761\"\u003eCryolophosaurus ellioti\u003c\/em\u003e inhabited an Antarctica completely different from the modern continent. During the Early Jurassic, Antarctica remained connected to other Gondwanan landmasses and experienced much milder temperatures, although it was still subject to pronounced seasonal variations in daylight because of its high latitude. Vegetation included conifers, ferns and other plants adapted to long seasonal cycles, while terrestrial ecosystems supported communities of dinosaurs and other vertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"4243\" data-end=\"4618\"\u003eIts discovery was of exceptional palaeobiogeographical importance because it demonstrated that large theropods had reached high polar latitudes very early in dinosaur evolutionary history. Its anatomy also contributes to reconstructing faunal connections between Gondwana and other regions during the Early Jurassic, before the final fragmentation of the southern continents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"4620\" data-end=\"4654\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"4620\" data-end=\"4654\"\u003eApproximate Replica Dimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"4656\" data-end=\"4703\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"4656\" data-end=\"4667\"\u003eMedium:\u003c\/strong\u003e 87 mm high\u003cbr data-start=\"4678\" data-end=\"4681\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"4681\" data-end=\"4691\"\u003eLarge:\u003c\/strong\u003e 145 mm high\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Dino and Dog","offers":[{"title":"Mediana \/ Sin imprimar","offer_id":62088583053580,"sku":"DC-1581-MEDIA-SINI","price":27.6,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"Mediana \/ Imprimado","offer_id":62088583086348,"sku":"DC-1581-MEDIA-IMPRI","price":30.6,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"Mediana \/ Pintado a mano","offer_id":62088583119116,"sku":"DC-1581-MEDIA-PINTA","price":99.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"Grande \/ Sin imprimar","offer_id":62088583151884,"sku":"DC-1581-GRAND-SINI","price":42.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"Grande \/ Imprimado","offer_id":62088583184652,"sku":"DC-1581-GRAND-IMPRI","price":49.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"Grande \/ Pintado a mano","offer_id":62088583217420,"sku":"DC-1581-GRAND-PINTA","price":149.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/1106\/7660\/files\/3_ee777211-ca8a-466a-9728-217b4045c33d.jpg?v=1789651589","url":"https:\/\/dinosauriacreatures.com\/en\/products\/cryolophosaurus-ellioti-4","provider":"Dinosauria Creatures","version":"1.0","type":"link"}