Curr Biol July 2022 PMID 35803271

New giant carnivorous dinosaur reveals convergent evolutionary trends in theropod arm reduction.

Juan I Canale, Sebastián Apesteguía, Pablo A Gallina, Jonathan Mitchell, Nathan D Smith, Thomas M Cullen, Akiko Shinya, Alejandro Haluza, Federico A Gianechini, Peter J Makovicky

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Mentions

356
Peak: 27 in Jul 2022
across 6 sources since Jul 2022

Extended reach

1,730,690
potential audience

Total likes

22,744

Video views

1,517,184

Mentions per month

Jul 2022 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News248 articles
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  • YouTube29 videos
  • Blogs24 articles
  • Facebook6 posts
  • Reddit5 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Discussions reflect a mix of scientific curiosity and casual enthusiasm, such as references to the dinosaur being 'named after' a fantasy figure or joking about arms evolving 'at least three times,' indicating a playful tone. The choice of words like 'goes so hard' and mentions of 'pop culture' tie the scientific importance to broader interests, shaping a perception of moderate impact paired with genuine curiosity.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the significance of the discovery, with some explicitly praising Meraxes and its evolutionary implications, but a few posts make humorous references that imply casual support rather than deep scientific engagement.

InterestHigh interest

Posts show high curiosity, especially with enthusiasm around Meraxes being 'named after' a fantasy dragon or its 'going so hard,' indicating genuine excitement about the research and related pop culture associations.

EngagementModerate engagement

Several comments delve into evolutionary concepts such as arm reduction and convergent evolution, with mentions of methods, anatomical comparisons, or potential social signaling traits, indicating moderate to deep engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

While some discussions highlight the significance of understanding dinosaur evolution, the overall response seems more focused on cultural references and humorous takes, suggesting perceived but not overwhelmingly high impact.

Abstract in brief

  • Giant carnivorous dinosaurs like T. rex had small forelimbs compared to their massive size; a new species, Meraxes gigas, adds to the understanding of this group known as Carcharodontosauridae, which thrived in the Early Cretaceous.
  • Meraxes shows unique anatomical features, particularly a nearly complete forelimb that highlights similar patterns of forelimb reduction across large predatory dinosaurs, including similarities with tyrannosaurids.
  • The well-preserved skull of Meraxes allows for better estimates of Giganotosaurus skull size and suggests that Carcharodontosauridae reached their diversity peak before extinction, potentially with interesting traits related to social signaling.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Darren Naish
@TetZoo · X

New short-armed carcharodontosaurid from #Argentina in @CurrentBiology today: the giant Meraxes gigas ... New giant carnivorous dinosaur reveals convergent evolutionary trends in theropod arm reduction https://t.co/5Xt5vAW0Mw #dinosaurs #theropods #Cretaceous

Jul 7, 2022 · 39 likes · 7 shares · 52,301 followers View post →
DinoBusters
@Dino_Busters · X

Ahora que vuelve a estar de moda Juego de Tronos gracias a #HouseoftheDragon, es el momento de hablar de Meraxes gigas, un nuevo carcarodontosáurido nombrado en honor a un dragón de este ficticio universo (link: https://t.co/xCkNNiciwq). Escúchalo ya! https://t.co/QGObnLhQuN https://t.co/ADqAvrpZa4

Sep 6, 2022 · 25 likes · 11 shares · 4,689 followers View post →
Ausarchosaur is counting the days til PhP Ice Age
@ausar_the · X

References: https://t.co/hhh6suf0CG https://t.co/efsrmGKSpZ

Jul 7, 2022 · 22 likes · 7,136 followers View post →
Thomas R. Holtz, Jr.
@TomHoltzPaleo · X

New giant carnivorous dinosaur reveals convergent evolutionary trends in theropod arm reduction https://t.co/oZ7fxdYmYc #Meraxes

Jul 7, 2022 · 15 likes · 5 shares · 31,827 followers View post →
Dovkolabotanika vulgaris
@botanikafake · X

24 або вони просто були любителями повихвалятися, накачаними у спортзалі «баночками», на пляжі. Ілюстрація: Carlos Papolio Стаття: DOI:https://t.co/3ICdNsKUcs

Jan 19, 2023 · 13 likes · 6,109 followers View post →
Sergio González Mora
@PhylumBryozoa · X

New giant carnivorous dinosaur reveals convergent evolutionary trends in theropod arm reduction| Current Biology https://t.co/jNPiWBDplb

Jul 7, 2022 · 4 likes · 1 share · 987 followers View post →

All mentions

Deform 2025
@Deform2022 · X

https://t.co/g2ClSOGfdK https://t.co/nlcmKK4e6A https://t.co/Ll9T3NYAS8

Aug 2, 2024 · 146 followers View post →
Juan Yu See #FreePalestine
@Juanyudocus · X

@yoritomoart Meraxes goes so hard that there's a dinosaur named after it! https://t.co/6VGShdVPzu

Jul 5, 2024 · 3 likes · 1,656 followers View post →
letitbe ⚜️
@letisrl · X

Dinosaurios, CONICET y las novelas de George R. R. Martin? My true passions https://t.co/CvhSMSC1Fh https://t.co/B3lqrLFSI0

May 3, 2024 · 114 followers View post →
Dovkolabotanika vulgaris
@botanikafake · X

24 або вони просто були любителями повихвалятися, накачаними у спортзалі «баночками», на пляжі. Ілюстрація: Carlos Papolio Стаття: DOI:https://t.co/3ICdNsKUcs

Jan 19, 2023 · 13 likes · 6,109 followers View post →
Eugenia Gold
@DrNeurosaurus · X

Does anyone have a copy of this paper they could DM me? https://t.co/wBOweEUb6j

Oct 12, 2022 · 2 likes · 2,204 followers View post →
SecretSnowLeopard
@LeopardSecret · X

RT @Dino_Busters: Ahora que vuelve a estar de moda Juego de Tronos gracias a #HouseoftheDragon, es el momento de hablar de Meraxes gigas, u…

Sep 8, 2022 · 11 shares · 59 followers View post →
DinoBusters
@Dino_Busters · X

RT @Dino_Busters: Ahora que vuelve a estar de moda Juego de Tronos gracias a #HouseoftheDragon, es el momento de hablar de Meraxes gigas, u…

Sep 7, 2022 · 11 shares · 4,689 followers View post →
Carlos de Miguel
@Carlosdino88 · X

RT @Dino_Busters: Ahora que vuelve a estar de moda Juego de Tronos gracias a #HouseoftheDragon, es el momento de hablar de Meraxes gigas, u…

Sep 7, 2022 · 11 shares · 2,863 followers View post →
Kuroko29
@Kuroko292 · X

RT @Dino_Busters: Ahora que vuelve a estar de moda Juego de Tronos gracias a #HouseoftheDragon, es el momento de hablar de Meraxes gigas, u…

Sep 6, 2022 · 11 shares · 359 followers View post →
soloxlos_sorteos
@Gabriel82395719 · X

RT @Dino_Busters: Ahora que vuelve a estar de moda Juego de Tronos gracias a #HouseoftheDragon, es el momento de hablar de Meraxes gigas, u…

Sep 6, 2022 · 11 shares · 100 followers View post →
David_kamyu
@David_kamyu · X

RT @Dino_Busters: Ahora que vuelve a estar de moda Juego de Tronos gracias a #HouseoftheDragon, es el momento de hablar de Meraxes gigas, u…

Sep 6, 2022 · 11 shares · 1,576 followers View post →
Terra Saurian
@IndominusT · X

RT @Dino_Busters: Ahora que vuelve a estar de moda Juego de Tronos gracias a #HouseoftheDragon, es el momento de hablar de Meraxes gigas, u…

Sep 6, 2022 · 11 shares · 177 followers View post →
Miguel Angel
@magdep · X

RT @Dino_Busters: Ahora que vuelve a estar de moda Juego de Tronos gracias a #HouseoftheDragon, es el momento de hablar de Meraxes gigas, u…

Sep 6, 2022 · 11 shares · 1,287 followers View post →
Susana Rodriguez
@zhendraes · X

RT @Dino_Busters: Ahora que vuelve a estar de moda Juego de Tronos gracias a #HouseoftheDragon, es el momento de hablar de Meraxes gigas, u…

Sep 6, 2022 · 11 shares · 125 followers View post →
Jurassic Parker
@JuananBrundle · X

RT @Dino_Busters: Ahora que vuelve a estar de moda Juego de Tronos gracias a #HouseoftheDragon, es el momento de hablar de Meraxes gigas, u…

Sep 6, 2022 · 11 shares · 1,212 followers View post →
ıuınbıuɐʎ
@yaniquini · X

RT @Dino_Busters: Ahora que vuelve a estar de moda Juego de Tronos gracias a #HouseoftheDragon, es el momento de hablar de Meraxes gigas, u…

Sep 6, 2022 · 11 shares · 498 followers View post →
DinoBusters
@Dino_Busters · X

Ahora que vuelve a estar de moda Juego de Tronos gracias a #HouseoftheDragon, es el momento de hablar de Meraxes gigas, un nuevo carcarodontosáurido nombrado en honor a un dragón de este ficticio universo (link: https://t.co/xCkNNiciwq). Escúchalo ya! https://t.co/QGObnLhQuN https://t.co/ADqAvrpZa4

Sep 6, 2022 · 25 likes · 11 shares · 4,689 followers View post →
Heretic_City
@Heretic_City · X

https://t.co/LC6wBU010a

Jul 29, 2022 · 829 followers View post →
(((Dan Graur))) ダン דן גראור
@DanGraur · X

Short arms and small hands have evolved at least three times: in the lineage leading to Meraxes gigas, in the lineage leading to Tyrannosaurus rex, and in the lineage leading to Donaldtrumpus vomituminducens. https://t.co/aGmYu1z6uy

Jul 21, 2022 · 1 like · 3,363 followers View post →
CRCpaleos
@CRCpaleos · X

ARTÍCULO ORIGINAL (acceso abierto) New giant carnivorous dinosaur reveals convergent evolutionary trends in theropod arm reduction https://t.co/FXIpfFA1VE vía #CurrentBiology

Jul 20, 2022 · 3,128 followers View post →
Have A Nice Day!!!
@curioler_hand · X

A new giant dinosaur gives insight into why many prehistoric meat-eaters had such tiny arms ... Source: University of Minnesota ... Journal Reference: https://t.co/I3J2fzOGn3 #haveaniceday #science #dinosaur #tiny #arms #discovery

Jul 19, 2022 · 583 followers View post →
Natural History Museums of L.A. County
@NHMLAC · X

New giant carnivorous dinosaur reveals convergent evolutionary trends in theropod arm reduction, via @cellpressnews: https://t.co/2TXC8nYU6r https://t.co/hxuPQgutZx

Jul 14, 2022 · 3 likes · 217 followers View post →
《백의 언약》부기맨
@junesock · X

@scarab_0 아 맞아 이번에 남미쪽에 새 육식공룡 논문 나온거 보셨나요 https://t.co/LM5BRPmPF6 https://t.co/J6WHpShRga

Jul 10, 2022 · 1 like · 1,144 followers View post →
EBİTOV
@EbitovBilim · X

Kaynak: @popularscienceturkiye & @arkeofili Makale: Juan I. Canale. (2022). New giant carnivorous dinosaur reveals convergent evolutionary trends in theropod arm reduction. Current Biology. https://t.co/oCGK25xSWC

Jul 10, 2022 View post →
La Citadelle
@LaCitadelleYT · X

@NewBonapartiste https://t.co/zWlazkDs8D

Jul 10, 2022 · 347 followers View post →
Oleg A. Chagin
@Oleg_A_Chagin · X

New giant carnivorous dinosaur reveals convergent evolutionary trends in theropod arm reduction: Current Biology https://t.co/sr4zX0lGNl

Jul 8, 2022 · 1,131 followers View post →
Jente Ottenburghs | Avian Hybrids
@Jente_O · X

New giant carnivorous dinosaur reveals convergent evolutionary trends in theropod arm reduction | Current Biology https://t.co/Lp0jLfBfl6

Jul 8, 2022 · 1 like · 4,048 followers View post →
Ken Gusler
@kgusler · X

New giant carnivorous dinosaur reveals convergent evolutionary trends in theropod arm reduction: https://t.co/3b8GxY3Htc

Jul 8, 2022 · 1 like · 20,036 followers View post →
Ausarchosaur is counting the days til PhP Ice Age
@ausar_the · X

References: https://t.co/hhh6suf0CG https://t.co/efsrmGKSpZ

Jul 7, 2022 · 22 likes · 7,136 followers View post →
Jason Gilchrist
@jgilchrist13 · X

New giant carnivorous dinosaur reveals convergent evolutionary trends in theropod arm reduction. Canale et al, @CurrentBiology. #Meraxes #TheropodThursday #theropod #dinosaur #dinosaurs #paleontology #palaeontology #anatomy #evolution #Meraxesgigas

Jul 7, 2022 · 3 likes · 2,678 followers View post →
Jorge Ortiz Mendieta
@JorgeOrtizM_Art · X

RT @PhylumBryozoa: New giant carnivorous dinosaur reveals convergent evolutionary trends in theropod arm reduction| Current Biology https:/…

Jul 7, 2022 · 1 share · 204 followers View post →
Brett Booth➕➕
@Demonpuppy · X

RT @TetZoo: New short-armed carcharodontosaurid from #Argentina in @CurrentBiology today: the giant Meraxes gigas ... New giant carnivorou…

Jul 7, 2022 · 7 shares · 40,189 followers View post →
Ordo Fraterna Fibonacci
@OrdoFibonacci · X

New giant carnivorous dinosaur reveals convergent evolutionary trends in theropod arm reduction: Current Biology https://t.co/5ychmDWDsw

Jul 7, 2022 · 2,568 followers View post →
Gary Ritchison
@GaryRitchison · X

New giant carnivorous dinosaur reveals convergent evolutionary trends in theropod arm reduction https://t.co/ui1P8AjMp4

Jul 7, 2022 · 320 followers View post →
Palaeo Pictures
@PalaeoPictures · X

New giant carnivorous dinosaur reveals convergent evolutionary trends in theropod arm reduction https://t.co/37p3rENuYG #dinosaur #dinosaurs #fossilfinds #jurassicfive #jurassicfossils #jurassiccoastfossils #jurassicworld #jurassicpark #jurassicworlddominion #science #scicomm https://t.co/cKMmpKRrWX

Jul 7, 2022 · 2 likes · 476 followers View post →
SovietSoldier1120
@TheComrade95 · X

RT @TetZoo: New short-armed carcharodontosaurid from #Argentina in @CurrentBiology today: the giant Meraxes gigas ... New giant carnivorou…

Jul 7, 2022 · 7 shares · 80 followers View post →
SirFowlman
@SirFowlman · X

RT @TomHoltzPaleo: New giant carnivorous dinosaur reveals convergent evolutionary trends in theropod arm reduction https://t.co/oZ7fxdYmYc…

Jul 7, 2022 · 5 shares · 374 followers View post →
ガイス
@shitake_reverse · X

RT @TetZoo: New short-armed carcharodontosaurid from #Argentina in @CurrentBiology today: the giant Meraxes gigas ... New giant carnivorou…

Jul 7, 2022 · 7 shares · 3,461 followers View post →
Marcos K. Pinheiro / "Marcos Wyvern" (Marcosaurus)
@BongMarcosaurus · X

RT @TetZoo: New short-armed carcharodontosaurid from #Argentina in @CurrentBiology today: the giant Meraxes gigas ... New giant carnivorou…

Jul 7, 2022 · 7 shares · 1,008 followers View post →
Darren Naish
@TetZoo · X

New short-armed carcharodontosaurid from #Argentina in @CurrentBiology today: the giant Meraxes gigas ... New giant carnivorous dinosaur reveals convergent evolutionary trends in theropod arm reduction https://t.co/5Xt5vAW0Mw #dinosaurs #theropods #Cretaceous

Jul 7, 2022 · 39 likes · 7 shares · 52,301 followers View post →
Marcos K. Pinheiro / "Marcos Wyvern" (Marcosaurus)
@BongMarcosaurus · X

RT @TomHoltzPaleo: New giant carnivorous dinosaur reveals convergent evolutionary trends in theropod arm reduction https://t.co/oZ7fxdYmYc…

Jul 7, 2022 · 5 shares · 1,008 followers View post →
Sergio González Mora
@PhylumBryozoa · X

New giant carnivorous dinosaur reveals convergent evolutionary trends in theropod arm reduction| Current Biology https://t.co/jNPiWBDplb

Jul 7, 2022 · 4 likes · 1 share · 987 followers View post →
らえらぷす@HJ連載中
@GET_AWAY_TRIKE · X

RT @TomHoltzPaleo: New giant carnivorous dinosaur reveals convergent evolutionary trends in theropod arm reduction https://t.co/oZ7fxdYmYc…

Jul 7, 2022 · 5 shares · 5,830 followers View post →
Thomas R. Holtz, Jr.
@TomHoltzPaleo · X

New giant carnivorous dinosaur reveals convergent evolutionary trends in theropod arm reduction https://t.co/oZ7fxdYmYc #Meraxes

Jul 7, 2022 · 15 likes · 5 shares · 31,827 followers View post →