Template:Short description Template:Good article Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Automatic taxobox
Carcharodontosaurus (Template:IPAc-en; Template:Lit) is a genus of large carnivorous theropod dinosaur that lived in Northwest Africa from about 100 to 94 million years ago during the Cenomanian age of the Cretaceous. Two teeth of the genus, now lost, were first described from Algeria by French paleontologists Charles Depéret and Justin Savornin as Megalosaurus saharicus. A partial skeleton initially referred to this genus was collected by crews of German paleontologist Ernst Stromer during a 1914 expedition to Egypt. Stromer did not report the Egyptian find until 1931, in which he dubbed the novel genus Carcharodontosaurus, making the type species C. saharicus. Although this skeleton was destroyed during the Second World War, it was subsequently redescribed as the holotype of a distinct carcharodontosaurid genus, Tameryraptor. In 1995, a nearly complete skull of C. saharicus, the first well-preserved specimen to be found in almost a century, was discovered in the Kem Kem Beds of Morocco, which was officially designated as the neotype in 2007. In the same year, fossils unearthed from the Echkar Formation of northern Niger were described and named as another species, C. iguidensis, though this species might belong to a different genus.
Carcharodontosaurus is one of the largest theropod dinosaurs known, with the type species reaching Template:Cvt in length and approximately Template:Convert in body mass. It had a large, lightly built skull with a triangular rostrum. Its jaws were lined with sharp, recurved, serrated teeth that bear striking resemblances to those of the great white shark (genus Carcharodon), the inspiration for the name. Though giant, its cranium was made lighter by greatly expanded fossae and fenestrae, but also making it more fragile than tyrannosaurids'. Studies of the bite force and tooth anatomy of carcharodontosaurids have found them to have relatively low bite force compared to other (large) theropods. The forelimbs were tiny whereas the hindlimbs were robust and muscular. Like most other theropods, it had an elongated tail for balance. Many gigantic theropods are known from North Africa during this period, including both species of Carcharodontosaurus as well as the spinosaurid Spinosaurus, the possible ceratosaur Deltadromeus, and unnamed large abelisaurids. North Africa at the time was blanketed in mangrove forests and wetlands, creating a hotspot of fish, crocodyliforms, and pterosaur diversity.
Discovery and speciesEdit
Initial findsEdit
In 1924, two teeth of Carcharodontosaurus were unearthed from wall cuts in different foggaras near Timimoun, French Algeria. These sediments came from the Cretaceous-aged<ref name=":14">Template:Cite journal</ref> Continental intercalaire Formation.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite journal</ref> The fossils were taken to the governor of Timimoun, Captain Burté, who gave them to French geologist Charles Depéret later that year. In 1925, Depéret and his colleague Justin Savornin described the teeth as coming of a new species of theropod dinosaur, Megalosaurus saharicus. These were the first fossils of theropods to be described from the region. The specific name saharicus refers to the Sahara Desert where the teeth had been found.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The genus Megalosaurus was a wastebasket taxon, with many new species referred to it without justification, including M. saharicus.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> It was later considered to be a species of Dryptosaurus in 1927,<ref name=":3" /> though this is unjustified.<ref name=":4">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=":5">Template:Cite journal</ref> By accident, another species of Megalosaurus, M. africanus, was named by German paleontologist Friedrich von Huene based on the teeth.<ref name=":4" /> It is therefore considered a junior synonym of M. saharicus.<ref name="Mortimer 2023 Carnosauria"/> Both syntypic teeth of M. saharicus have since been lost, possibly being kept in a collection in Algeria, Paris, or Lyon, and lack distinguishing characteristics from other carcharodontosaurids.<ref name=":6">Template:Cite journal</ref> In 1960, French paleontologist Albert-Félix de Lapparent reported the discovery of more teeth and several caudal vertebrae from sites in Algeria belonging to Carcharodontosaurus,<ref name=":2">Template:Cite journal</ref> though some of these fossils might belong to other genera.<ref name="Mortimer 2023 Carnosauria"/> Later authors mentioned finds of teeth and isolated fossils from other provinces of Algeria.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=":14" />
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However, a partial skeleton later referred to C. saharicus was first found in marls near Ain Gedid, Egypt, in early April 1914 by Austro-Hungarian paleontologist Richard Markgraf. Marls from this region derive from the Cenomanian-aged Bahariya Formation, one of many Cretaceous-aged sites of North Africa.<ref name=":8">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=":5" />Template:Sfn In this formation, Markgraf did extensive collecting of dinosaur skeletons for his employer, German paleontologist Ernst Stromer of the Paläontologisches Museum München (Bavarian State Collection of Paleontology).<ref name=":8"/> Due to political tensions between the German Empire and then British-owned Egypt, this skeleton, since numbered as SNSB-BSPG 1922 X 46, took years to get to Germany. It was not until 1922 that they were transported overseas to Munich where they were described by Stromer in 1931.Template:Sfn Stromer recognized that the skeleton's teeth would match the characteristic dentition of those described by Depéret and Savornin, which led to Stromer conserving the species name saharicus. However, he found it necessary to erect a new genus for this species, Carcharodontosaurus, for their similarities, in sharpness and serrations, to the teeth of the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias).<ref name=":8" /> In his 1931 and 1934 descriptions, Stromer designates the smaller of the two teeth originally described by Depéret and Savornin as the type specimen (name-bearing specimen) of the taxon.<ref name=":8" />Template:Sfn Thus, this tooth, although lost, must be considered as the lectotype of C. saharicus.<ref name=Tameryraptor/> World War II would break out in 1939, leading SNSB-BSPG 1922 X 46 and other material from Bahariya to be destroyed during a British bombing raid on Munich during the night of April 24/25, 1944.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>Template:Sfn An endocast was made and survived the war, being the only remaining relic of the specimen.Template:Sfn However in 2025, this specimen was redescribed as the holotype of a distinct carcharodontosaurid genus, Tameryraptor.<ref name=Tameryraptor/>
Resurgent discoveries, C. iguidensis, and confusion with spinosauridsEdit
Few discoveries of Carcharodontosaurus attributed material were made until 1995 when American paleontologist Paul Sereno found an incomplete skull during an expedition embarked on by the University of Chicago. This skull (SGM-Din 1) was found in the Cenomanian-aged rocks of the Lower Douira Formation, Kem Kem Beds, in Errachidia, southeastern Morocco. The specimen was taken to the University of Chicago and was first described in 1996 by Sereno and colleagues in Science.<ref name=":5"/> In 2007, SGM-Din 1 was officially designated as the neotype of C. saharicus due to the loss of other specimens and the similar age and geographic location to previously noted material.<ref name=":6"/> The taxonomy of Carcharodontosaurus was discussed by Chiarenza and Cau (2016),<ref name="ChiarenzaandCau2016">Template:Cite journal</ref> who suggested that the neotype of C. saharicus was similar but distinct from the skeleton described by Stromer in the morphology of the maxillary interdental plates. However, paleontologist Mickey Mortimer put forward that the suggested difference between the two specimens was actually due to damage to the neotype.<ref name="Mortimer 2023 Carnosauria">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Because the neotype designation was in accordance with the ICZN article 75.3 and 75.4, the describers of Tameryraptor agreed that SGM-Din 1 is a valid neotype.<ref name=Tameryraptor>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Several other fossils of C. saharicus have been unearthed from the Kem Kem Beds, such as dentary fragments, a cervical vertebra, and many teeth.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Sfn Sereno et al. also referred a multitude of cervical vertebrae described as the spinosaurids Sigilmassasaurus and "Spinosaurus B" to C. saharicus reasoning that stout cervicals would be needed to carry the skulls of carcharodontosaurids.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":5" /> Later research proved otherwise, with the vertebrae being placed in Spinosaurus aegyptiacus by Ibrahim et al. (2020).Template:Sfn French paleontologist René Lavocat was the first to note the possible presence of Carcharodontosaurus in Morocco as early as 1954.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
In 2007, a novel species of Carcharodontosaurus, C. iguidensis, was dubbed by paleontologists Steve Brusatte and Paul Sereno. Fossils of C. iguidensis had been uncovered during an expedition to the Echkar Formation of Iguidi, Niger, a partial maxilla (MNN IGU2) being designated the holotype. The species name iguidensis is after Iguidi, where the fossils were unearthed. Several other remains such as a braincase, a lacrimal, a dentary, a cervical vertebra, and a collection of teeth were referred to C. iguidensis based on size and supposed similarities to other Carcharodontosaurus bones.<ref name=":6"/> Chiarenza and Cau (2016) identified the referred material of C. iguidensis as belonging to Sigilmassasaurus (later referred to Spinosaurus sp.)<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> and a non-carcharodontosaurine, and therefore chose to limit C. iguidensis to the holotype pending future research.<ref name="ChiarenzaandCau2016" /> Another carcharodontosaurid from the Kem Kem Beds, Sauroniops pachytholus, was dubbed in 2012 based on a single frontal,<ref name=":10">Template:Cite journal</ref> and has been proposed to be synonymous with C. saharicus.Template:Sfn This proposed synonymy has been disputed by others.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="ChiarenzaandCau2016" /><ref name=":1">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Cau&Paterna25" /> The South American genus Giganotosaurus was synonymized with Carcharodontosaurus by Figueiredo (1998)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and Paul (2010),<ref name="G.S.Paul2016">Template:Cite book</ref> but no authors have since followed this assessment.<ref name=":17" /><ref name=":6" />
Other referred specimensEdit
- Lapparent (1951, 1960) described several Carcharodontosaurus teeth from the Continental intercalaire Formation of Guermessa, Tunisia.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":16">Template:Cite journal</ref>
- A postorbital bone and several postcranial remains assigned to Carcharodontosaurus were found in the Elrhaz Formation of northern Niger. Taquet (1976) noted that the postorbital was similar to that of Acrocanthosaurus, a relative of Carcharodontosaurus,Template:Sfn while the postcranial fossils could belong to other theropods.<ref name="Mortimer 2023 Carnosauria"/><ref name="Tameryraptor" />
- Two braincase fragments, 137 teeth, two caudal vertebrae, and a manual phalanx from the Echkar Formation were referred to as Carcharodontosaurus by Lapparent (1960).<ref name=":2" /> A pedal phalanx had also been described as Carcharodontosaurus but it likely is from a spinosaurid instead.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
- Many vertebrae, including two associated dorsals, were found in the Early Cretaceous strata of the Irhazer Group of Agadez, Niger. Lapparent mentioned these fossils as C. saharicus in 1960,<ref name=":2" /> though they may belong to other theropod genera.<ref name="Mortimer 2023 Carnosauria"/>
- Caudal vertebrae from the Tefidet and teeth from Akarazeras sites of the Continental intercalaire Formation of Agadez, Niger were recorded by Lapparent (1960)<ref name=":2" /> and Taquet (1976) respectively.Template:Sfn The vertebrae could be from other theropods.<ref name="Mortimer 2023 Carnosauria"/>
- From an unknown locale in the Continental intercalaire of the Sahara Desert, Lapparent (1960) documented eight vertebrae, a humerus, and a manual phalanx as coming from C. saharicus.<ref name=":2" /> These elements could be from other theropods.<ref name="Mortimer 2023 Carnosauria"/>
- Teeth and a caudal vertebra from the Chenini Formation of southern Tunisia have been referred to Carcharodontosaurus.<ref name="Schlüter Schwarzhans 1978">Template:Cite journal</ref> However, the caudal vertebra is now labeled Carcharodontosauridae indet.<ref name="Fanti Cau Martinelli Contessi 2014">Template:Cite journal</ref>
- In 2015, a large neural arch of a dorsal vertebra from the Kem Kem Beds was informally described as belonging to a new genus and species of megaraptoran dubbed "Osteoporosia gigantea". This specimen is owned by the head of a Polish theme park chain who described it as belonging to a Template:Convert long carnosaur similar to Mapusaurus and Carcharodontosaurus.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, it was much smaller than proposed and may belong to C. saharicus or Sauroniops based on its carcharodontosaurid traits and origin.<ref>Template:Cite bookTemplate:Pn</ref>
Previously assigned specimensEdit
- A maxillary tooth recovered from the Villar del Arzobispo Formation of Spain was referred to Carcharodontosaurus in 1966.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> However, it lacks the traits of carcharodontosaurid teeth and instead is more similar to that of other allosauroids.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
- Bond and Bromley (1970) described teeth deriving from the Gokwe Formation of Zimbabwe as being similar to Carcharodontosaurus, with Mickey Mortimer assigning them to the genus tentatively.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> However, later studies have found them to be indeterminate.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
- Teeth from the Alcantara Formation of Brazil were placed in Carcharodontosaurus in 2002,<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> but this has been disputed based on its geographic origin.<ref name="Mortimer 2023 Carnosauria"/>
- Partial specimens from Wadi Milk Formation were originally assigned to Carcharodontosaurus, but were now considered to be indeterminate carcharodontosaurids, some of which are similar to the genus.<ref name="Mortimer 2023 Carnosauria"/>
- Fossils from the Campanian Quseir Formation of western Egypt have been tentatively assigned to Spinosaurus and Carcharodontosaurus,<ref name=Churcher1999>Template:Cite book</ref> but these specimens were never described in detail and thus classified as Theropoda indet.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
DescriptionEdit
SizeEdit
Stromer hypothesized that C. saharicus was around the same size as the tyrannosaurid Gorgosaurus, which would place it at around Template:Convert long, based on his specimen SNSB-BSPG 1922 X 46 (now Tameryraptor). This individual was around 15% smaller than the neotype,Template:Sfn the latter was estimated to be Template:Convert in length and approximately Template:Convert in body mass.<ref name="Henderson&Nicholls2015">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="G.S.Paul2016" /><ref name="seebacher2001">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> This makes Carcharodontosaurus saharicus one of the largest known theropod dinosaurs and one of the largest terrestrial carnivores.<ref name=":17" /><ref name="G.S.Paul2016" /> C. iguidensis was much smaller, only reaching Template:Convert in length and Template:Convert in body mass.<ref name="G.S.Paul2016" />
SkullEdit
Cranium and teethEdit
The largest and most complete skull of C. saharicus would measure Template:Convert when complete, around the same size as the largest Tyrannosaurus skulls. No skulls of the genus preserve premaxillae, complete posterior skull regions, or mandibles. Skulls of carcharodontosaurids tend to be more slender and lightly built than those of later tyrannosaurids, which have robust builds and adaptations for crushing. The neotype cranium tapers towards the front in side view creating a triangular outline. This is similar to that of other carcharodontosaurids like Mapusaurus and Giganotosaurus. Its skull was lighter than that of tyrannosaurids, with the antorbital fenestra composing over 30% of the total skull length as well as being surrounded by Template:Dinogloss in the maxillae (upper jaw bone), nasals (nose bone), jugals (cheekbone), and lacrimals (front orbit bone). Akin to other genera, its nasal is elongated and its exposed side is covered in a rugose surface. These bumps were likely extended by keratin sheaths, creating a horn-like structure as in Ceratosaurus. A similar rugosity is found on the lacrimal which would also be lengthened by keratin, forming a similar element.Template:Sfn<ref name=":5" /> The most distinctive trait of CarcharodontosaurusTemplate:' skull is the sculpted exterior of the maxillae, which is unique to the genus. C. iguidensis has antorbital fossae limited to the proximity of the antorbital fenestra, a crest running along the medial (right) face of the maxilla, and a process along its midline. These traits are missing in C. saharicus, differentiating the two species.<ref name=":6" />
14 teeth sockets are present in each maxilla. Parts of the braincase are known though much of their morphology is the same as GiganotosaurusTemplate:'. However, C. saharicus has a much more prominent nuchal crest, which overhangs the skull roof. The frontal bones are firmly fused, a characteristic evident in most theropods.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The jugals are broad and triangle-shaped. The lower jaw articulation was placed farther back behind the occipital condyle (where the neck is attached to the skull) compared to other theropods.<ref name=":5" /> Two dentary (lower jaw bone) fragments which were referred to C. saharicus by Ibrahim et al. (2020) have deep and expanded alveoli (tooth sockets), traits found in other large theropods.<ref name=":0" />Template:Sfn If like Tyrannotitan and Giganotosaurus, the dentary would have 16 alveoli (tooth sockets).<ref name=":11">Template:Cite journal</ref>
Estimations of the tooth count of Carcharodontosaurus vary, but a recent estimate of 30 dentary, 8 premaxillary, and 24 maxillary teeth for a total of 62 teeth was made.<ref name=":12">Template:Cite journal</ref> Carcharodontosaurid teeth are some of the largest of any dinosaur group, with a maxillary tooth from SNSB-BSPG 1922 X 46 being Template:Convert tall and Template:Convert wide.<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, they are extremely thin, with most being under a centimeter thick. Serrations are numerous on the anterior and posterior margins, with over 18 to 20 serrations per centimeter of edge in C. saharicus and up to 32 per centimeter in C. iguidensis.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":8" /> Its teeth are straight, laterally flattened, and spindle-shaped in cross-section. However, dentition towards the back of the mouth became more recurved than those in the maxilla. The posterior margin of these crowns are recurved and convex at its termination. Bowed enamel wrinkles are present on both dorsoventral sides of the crowns. These wrinkles curve towards the marginal serrations, composing a band-shape along the ends.<ref name=":5" /><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=":11" />
Brain and inner earEdit
In 2001, Hans C. E. Larsson published a description of the inner ear and endocranium of Carcharodontosaurus saharicus. Starting from the portion of the brain closest to the tip of the animal's snout is the forebrain, which is followed by the midbrain. The midbrain is angled downwards at a 45-degree angle and towards the rear of the animal. This is followed by the hindbrain, which is roughly parallel to the forebrain and forms a roughly 40-degree angle with the midbrain. Overall, the brain of C. saharicus would have been similar to that of a related dinosaur, Allosaurus fragilis. Larsson found that the ratio of the cerebrum to the volume of the brain overall in Carcharodontosaurus was typical for a non-avian reptile. Carcharodontosaurus also had a large optic nerve.<ref name="csaharicus-endo">Template:Cite book</ref>
The three semicircular canals of the inner ear of Carcharodontosaurus saharicus—when viewed from the side—had a subtriangular outline. This subtriangular inner-ear configuration is present in Allosaurus, lizards, and turtles, but not in birds. The semi-"circular" canals themselves were very linear, which explains the pointed silhouette. In life, the floccular lobe of the brain would have projected into the area surrounded by the semicircular canals, just like in other non-avian theropods, birds, and pterosaurs.<ref name="csaharicus-endo" />
PostcraniaEdit
Few postcranial elements are confidently known from Carcharodontosaurus, though many isolated bones from the Sahara have been referred to the genus without detailed study.<ref name=":6" />Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn<ref name=":2" /> However, the description of other carcharodontosaurids from North Africa such as Tameryraptor and Sauroniops has put into question the referral of carcharodontosaurid remains that lack overlap with the C. saharicus neotype.<ref name="Tameryraptor" /><ref name=":1" /> Like other carcharodontosaurids, it was robust with small forelimbs, an elongated tail, and short neck. The most complete specimen was SNSB-BSPG 1922 X 46, but it was destroyed and is now the holotype of Tameryraptor.<ref name="Tameryraptor" /> A single cervical vertebra was referred to the genus by Dale A. Russell in 1996, the only described postcranial element recovered from the Kem Kem Beds that may belong to Carcharodontosaurus.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> This cervical vertebra is stout and Template:Dinogloss (concave posterior ends).<ref name="harris1998">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=":11" /> Its preserved length is Template:Convert As in Giganotosaurus, the vertebra is topped by low neural spines joined with sturdy Template:Dinogloss which hung over the Template:Dinogloss (shallow depressions on the sides of centra), which would contain pneumatic air sacs to lighten the vertebrae. The centrum however lacks the keels observed in other carcharodontosaurids, possibly due to it being an anterior cervical vertebra.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
ClassificationEdit
SystematicsEdit
Carcharodontosaurus is the type genus of the family Carcharodontosauridae and subfamily Carcharodontosaurinae. This subfamily contains Carcharodontosaurus itself as well as the other carcharodontosaurines Giganotosaurus, Mapusaurus, Meraxes, and Tyrannotitan; however, these genera make up an independent tribe: Giganotosaurini. Carcharodontosauridae was a clade created by Stromer for Carcharodontosaurus and Bahariasaurus, though the name remained unused until the recognition of other members of the group in the late 20th century. He noted the likeness of Carcharodontosaurus bones to the American theropods Allosaurus and Tyrannosaurus, leading him to consider the family part of Theropoda.Template:Sfn<ref name=":8" />
Paul Sereno's description of Carcharodontosaurus fossils in 1996 led to the realization of a transcontinental clade of carcharodontosaurids. As more carcharodontosaurids were discovered, their interrelationships became even clearer. The group was defined as all allosauroids closer to Carcharodontosaurus than Allosaurus or Sinraptor by the paleontologist Thomas R. Holtz and colleagues in 2004.<ref name="sciencedirect.com">Template:Cite journal</ref> Carcharodontosaurus is more poorly known than most other carcharodontosaurids, with Meraxes and Giganotosaurus represented by nearly complete skeletons.<ref name="Canale2022">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=":15" /> Carcharodontosaurians have been recognized from the Late Jurassic to the Mid-Cretaceous of every continent except Antarctica.<ref name=":17">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=":5" /><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
In their phylogenetic analyses, Kellermann, Cuesta & Rauhut (2025) recovered C. iguidensis as a non-carcharodontosaurine member of the Carcharodontosauridae outside the genus Carcharodontosaurus, suggesting that this species belongs to a different genus.<ref name=Tameryraptor/> Similar results were recovered by Cau & Paterna (2025) in their analysis of large Cretaceous theropods from Africa, who also argued for the removal of C. iguidensis from the genus.<ref name="Cau&Paterna25">Template:Cite journal</ref>
The analyses of Kellermann, Cuesta & Rauhut (2025) found support for a sister taxon relationship of carcharodontosaurids and metriacanthosaurids, which the authors named as a new clade, Carcharodontosauriformes. The results of their analysis using merged OTUs (operational taxonomic units) are displayed in the cladogram below:<ref name=Tameryraptor/>
EvolutionEdit
Rodolfo Coria and Leonardo Salgado suggested that the convergent evolution of gigantism in theropods could have been linked to common conditions in their environments or ecosystems.<ref name=":15">Template:Cite journal</ref> Sereno and colleagues found that the presence of carcharodontosaurids in Africa (Carcharodontosaurus), North America (Acrocanthosaurus), and South America (Giganotosaurus), showed the group had a transcontinental distribution by the Early Cretaceous period. Dispersal routes between the northern and southern continents appear to have been severed by ocean barriers in the Late Cretaceous, which led to more distinct, provincial faunas, by preventing exchange.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=":5" /> Previously, it was thought that the Cretaceous world was biogeographically separated, with the northern continents being dominated by tyrannosaurids, South America by abelisaurids, and Africa by carcharodontosaurids.<ref name="Coria1996">Template:Cite journal</ref> The subfamily Carcharodontosaurinae, in which Carcharodontosaurus belongs, appears to have been restricted to the southern continent of Gondwana (formed by South America and Africa), where they were probably the apex predators.<ref name="sciencedirect.com"/> The South American tribe Giganotosaurini may have been separated from their African relatives through vicariance, when Gondwana broke up during the Aptian–Albian ages of the Early Cretaceous.<ref name="Tyrannotitan2014">Template:Cite journal</ref>
PaleobiologyEdit
Lifting capabilitiesEdit
A biomechanical analysis of Carcharodontosaurus' lifting capabilities was conducted by paleontologist Donald Henderson and paleoartist Robert Nicholls in 2015. The authors used 3D models of the animal as well as a subadult sauropod Limaysaurus, which although not found alongside Carcharodontosaurus, is similar to the rebbachisaurids of the Kem Kem Beds. The models included the size of the lungs and other pneumatic structures of the two, fostering an accurate weight simulation of the scenario. Henderson & Nicholls' study found that an adult C. saharicus could hold a maximum of Template:Cvt, half the weight of an adult Limaysaurus. However, two C. saharicus adults could together lift as much as Template:Convert.<ref name="Henderson&Nicholls2015" />
Feeding and dietEdit
The dentition of allosauroids is distinct, with carcharodontosaurid teeth bearing distinctly thin and blade-like teeth. However, these teeth are thin and likely could not sustain impact against hard surfaces like bone without potentially bending and snapping. This danger is exacerbated by the straight edges, slightly recurved tips, and sinusoidal shapes observed in their dentition. Despite these traits, the teeth are still much more robust than those of smaller theropods and due to their overall size could take more pressure. Carcharodontosaurus also had a high tooth replacement rate meaning that damaged teeth could be replaced easily in contrast to extant bone-crushing mammals who spend much of their energy maintaining their teeth.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Evidence of bone-crunching bites is observed in Allosaurus, which would engage in ritual face-biting with other individuals and bite into the pelves of Stegosaurus as shown by bite marks.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Bite forces of Carcharodontosaurus as well as other giant theropods including Acrocanthosaurus and Tyrannosaurus have been analyzed. Studies reported that carcharodontosaurids had much lower bite forces than Tyrannosaurus despite being in the same size class. The anterior bite force of C. saharicus was estimated in a 2022 paper to be 11,312 newtons while the posterior bite force was 25,449 newtons. This is much lower than that of Tyrannosaurus, implying that it did not eat bones.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Finite element accounts of the skulls of theropods have also been taken, which further supported the idea that Carcharodontosaurus ate softer food than tyrannosaurids. Great amounts of stress were recovered in the posterior part of the cranium near the quadrate in Carcharodontosaurus, Spinosaurus, and Acrocanthosaurus. The skulls of these theropods had higher relative stress quantities in opposition to that of smaller genera. This indicates that the crania of giant taxa (ex. Carcharodontosaurus) were unstable due to having large pneumatic structures to save weight instead of creating a firm build. However, Spinosaurus and Suchomimus experienced even greater values of stress meaning that they could only consume light, small prey instead of larger items, which the stronger skull of Carcharodontosaurus could bite while sustaining the stress.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Isotopic analyses of the teeth of C. saharicus have found δ18O values that are higher than that of the contemporary Spinosaurus, suggesting the latter pursued semi-aquatic habits whereas Carcharodontosaurus was more terrestrial.<ref name=":13">Template:Cite journal</ref> This is further supported by the taphonomy of C. saharicus teeth, which are more often found in land terrains than aquatic ones.<ref name=":12" /> Carcharodontosaurus was also a homeotherm with an endotherm-like thermophysiology as inferred by these isotopes meaning that most of its oxygen was accumulated by drinking water rather than being in it.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Crest functionEdit
Theropods such as Carcharodontosaurus, Allosaurus, and Acrocanthosaurus have enlarged lacrimal crests, whose purpose is unknown. Paleontologist Daniel Chure hypothesized that these crests were used for "head-butting" between individuals, but how durable they are has not been studied.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
VisionEdit
A 2006 study by biologist Kent Stevens analyzed the binocular vision capabilities of the allosauroids Carcharodontosaurus and Allosaurus as well as several coelurosaurs including Tyrannosaurus and Stenonychosaurus. By applying modified perimetry to models of these dinosaurs' heads, Stevens deduced that the binocular vision of Carcharodontosaurus was limited, a side effect of its large, elongated rostrum. Its greatest degree of binocular vision was at higher elevations, suggesting that Carcharodontosaurus may have habitually held its head at a downward 40° angle with its eyes facing up accordingly to achieve maximum binocular vision. The range of vision seen in these allosauroids is comparable to that of crocodiles, suggesting that they were ambush predators. They likely sensed prey via motion parallax between prey and background, with a narrow binocular field of vision helping predators judge prey distances and time attacks.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
PathologyEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} The neotype skull of C. saharicus is one of many allosauroid individuals to preserve pathologies, with signs of biting, infection, and breaks observed in Allosaurus and Acrocanthosaurus among others.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Molnar2001">Template:Cite book</ref> This skull bears a circular puncture wound in the nasal and "an abnormal projection of bone on the antorbital rim".<ref name="Molnar2001"/> A later study theorized that this was the result of craniofacial bites.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
PaleoenvironmentEdit
Fossils of Carcharodontosaurus are known from several Cretaceous-age sites across North Africa, similar to the ranges of Spinosaurus and Deltadromeus.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5" /> North Africa during this period bordered the Tethys Sea, which transformed the region into a mangrove-dominated coastal environment filled with vast tidal flats and waterways.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>Template:Sfn Isotopes from Carcharodontosaurus and Spinosaurus fossils suggest that the Kem Kem Beds witnessed a temporary monsoon season rather than constant rainfall, similar to modern conditions present in sub-tropical and tropical environments in Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.<ref name=":13" /><ref name="RMetal102">Template:Cite journal</ref> These riverine deposits bore large fishes, including the sawskate Onchopristis, coelacanth Mawsonia, and bichir Bawitius.Template:Sfn This led to an abundance of piscivorous crocodyliformes evolving in response, such as the giant stomatosuchid Stomatosuchus in Egypt and the genera Elosuchus, Laganosuchus, and Aegisuchus from Morocco.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>Template:Sfn Morocco also bore an abundance of pterosaurs like Siroccopteryx and Nicorhynchus.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="APPanhanguerids">Template:Cite journal</ref>
The composition of the dinosaur fauna of these sites is an anomaly, as there are fewer herbivorous dinosaur species relative to carnivorous dinosaurs than usual. This indicates that there was niche partitioning between the different theropod clades, with spinosaurids consuming fish while other groups hunted herbivorous dinosaurs.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Isotopic evidence supports this, which found greater quantities of sizable, terrestrial animals in the diets of carcharodontosaurids and ceratosaurs from both the Kem Kem Beds and Elrhaz Formation.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=":2" /> It also coexisted with the sauropod Rebbachisaurus which is found in the Kem Kem Beds.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Carcharodontosaurids are represented by C. saharicus and Sauroniops in the Kem Kem Beds, Tameryraptor in the Bahariya Formation, Eocarcharia and potentially Carcharodontosaurus in the Elrhaz Formation, and C. iguidensis in the Echkar Formation.<ref name=":6" />