DR. Benjamin Lewis studied at Oxford University before going on to becoming a full-time paleontologist. He has made several significant discoveries involving theropod dinosaurs; primarily the hunting and lifestyles of Abelisauridae.
Abelisauridae:
Abelisauridae are a group of theropod dinosaurs that lived during the cretaceous period, 110-66 million years ago. They are characterized by short, deep skulls, very small forelimbs and long powerful hind limbs. Members include: Abelisaurus, Carnotaurus, Majungasaurus, Rugops and Rajasaurus.
Locations:
Abelisauridae are found primarily in the southern hemisphere, this is due to the arrangement of the continents as no land mass connected the north to the south. In the North reigned the Tyrannosaurs and in the south were the Abelisaurs. Fossils have been found in Argentina; Morocco; Madagascar; India; and Australia.
Competition:
In some regions the Abelisaurs were the largest and fiercest predators, however there are places where even they were dwarfed by larger carnivores. Africa in particular; had the mighty Carcharodontosaurus and Spinosaurus these were two of the largest predatory dinosaurs to ever exist. The Abelisaurs in the region may have had to rely on their specializations in order to survive alongside colossal predators. They were fast runners able to chase fast moving prey, using quick bites to immobilize and catch smaller dinosaurs, as well as small reptiles and lizards. Where as Madagascar for example: Majungasaurus is the largest predator on the island. Habitats included large open Savannah plains, criss-crossed with rivers, and mangrove swamps.
Teeth and Jaws:
Abelisaurs teeth were small and sharp, featuring serrations on front and back of the tooth. The jaws are weak when compared to other large predatory dinosaurs but could bite and snap its jaws such with speed. Some abelisaur jaws are suited to grip and hold struggling prey. This is due to the short, deep skull of the Abelisaurs giving them an almost bulldog like appearance.
Prey:
Abelisauridae were effective hunters, with capable jaws and built for chases. With their small forelimbs, Abelisaurs may have hunted turtles, crocodiles, small reptiles/lizards, fish, Pterosaurs as well as other dinosaurs. They were opportunistic predators but like modern predators would have scavenged food when required.
Extinction:
Dinosaurs died out 66 million years ago at the end of the Cretaceous Period. The widely accepted theory is a meteorite smashes into the Earth somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico causing mass extinction, in the air, on the land and even in the oceans. Ending the reign of the Dinosaurs and killing off the remaining Abelisauridae. What survived are the avian dinosaurs we call birds.