Carcharodontosaurus

''Carcharodontosaurus'' (; ) 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 proposed 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 in length and approximately 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 species

Initial finds

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 Continental intercalaire Formation. 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. The genus ''Megalosaurus'' was a wastebasket taxon, with many new species referred to it without justification, including ''M. saharicus''. It was later considered to be a species of '' Dryptosaurus'' in 1927, though this is unjustified. By accident, another species of ''Megalosaurus, M. africanus'', was named by German paleontologist Friedrich von Huene based on the teeth. It is therefore considered a junior synonym of ''M. saharicus''. 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. 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'', though some of these fossils might belong to other genera. Later authors mentioned finds of teeth and isolated fossils from other provinces of Algeria.

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. 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). 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. 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''). 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. Thus, this tooth, although lost, must be considered as the lectotype of ''C. saharicus''. 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. An endocast was made and survived the war, being the only remaining relic of the specimen. However in 2025, this specimen was redescribed as the holotype of a distinct carcharodontosaurid genus, '' Tameryraptor''.

Resurgent discoveries, ''C. iguidensis'', and confusion with spinosaurids

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''. In 2007, SGM-Din 1 was officially proposed as the neotype of ''C. saharicus'' due to the loss of other specimens and the similar age and geographic location to previously noted material. The taxonomy of ''Carcharodontosaurus'' was discussed by Chiarenza and Cau (2016), 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. Because the neotype proposal 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.

Several other fossils of ''C. saharicus'' have been unearthed from the Kem Kem Beds, such as dentary fragments, a cervical vertebra, and many teeth. 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. Later research proved otherwise, with the vertebrae being placed in ''Spinosaurus aegyptiacus'' by Ibrahim et al. (2020). French paleontologist René Lavocat was the first to note the possible presence of ''Carcharodontosaurus'' in Morocco as early as 1954.

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. Chiarenza and Cau (2016) identified the referred material of ''C. iguidensis'' as belonging to ''Sigilmassasaurus'' (later referred to ''Spinosaurus'' sp.) and a non- carcharodontosaurine, and therefore chose to limit ''C. iguidensis'' to the holotype pending future research. Another carcharodontosaurid from the Kem Kem Beds, '' Sauroniops pachytholus'', was dubbed in 2012 based on a single frontal, and has been proposed to be synonymous with ''C. saharicus''. This proposed synonymy has been disputed by others. The South American genus ''Giganotosaurus'' was synonymized with ''Carcharodontosaurus'' by Figueiredo (1998) and Paul (2010), but no authors have since followed this assessment.

Other referred specimens

* Lapparent (1951, 1960) described several ''Carcharodontosaurus'' teeth from the Continental intercalaire Formation of Guermessa, Tunisia.
* 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'', while the postcranial fossils could belong to other theropods.
* Two braincase fragments, 137 teeth, two caudal vertebrae, and a manual phalanx from the Echkar Formation were referred to as ''Carcharodontosaurus'' by Lapparent (1960). A pedal phalanx had also been described as ''Carcharodontosaurus'' but it likely is from a spinosaurid instead.
* 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, though they may belong to other theropod genera.
* Caudal vertebrae from the Tefidet and teeth from Akarazeras sites of the Continental intercalaire Formation of Agadez, Niger were recorded by Lapparent (1960) and Taquet (1976) respectively. The vertebrae could be from other theropods.
* 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.'' These elements could be from other theropods.
* Teeth and a caudal vertebra from the Chenini Formation of southern Tunisia have been referred to ''Carcharodontosaurus''. However, the caudal vertebra is now labeled Carcharodontosauridae indet.
* 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 long carnosaur similar to '' Mapusaurus'' and ''Carcharodontosaurus.'' However, it was much smaller than proposed and may belong to ''C. saharicus'' or ''Sauroniops'' based on its carcharodontosaurid traits and origin.

Previously assigned specimens

* A maxillary tooth recovered from the Villar del Arzobispo Formation of Spain was referred to ''Carcharodontosaurus'' in 1966. However, it lacks the traits of carcharodontosaurid teeth and instead is more similar to that of other allosauroids.
* 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. However, later studies have found them to be indeterminate.
* Teeth from the Alcantara Formation of Brazil were placed in ''Carcharodontosaurus'' in 2002, but this has been disputed based on its geographic origin.
* 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.
* Fossils from the Campanian Quseir Formation of western Egypt have been tentatively assigned to ''Spinosaurus'' and ''Carcharodontosaurus'', but these specimens were never described in detail and thus classified as Theropoda indet.

Description

Size

Stromer hypothesized that ''C. saharicus'' was around the same size as the tyrannosaurid ''Gorgosaurus'', which would place it at around long, based on his specimen SNSB-BSPG 1922 X 46 (now '' Tameryraptor''). This individual was around 15% smaller than the neotype, the latter was estimated to be in length and approximately in body mass. This makes ''Carcharodontosaurus saharicus'' one of the largest known theropod dinosaurs and one of the largest terrestrial carnivores. ''C. iguidensis'' was much smaller, only reaching in length and in body mass.

Skull

Cranium and teeth

The largest and most complete skull of ''C. saharicus'' would measure 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 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. The most distinctive trait of ''Carcharodontosaurus'' 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.

14 teeth sockets are present in each maxilla. Parts of the braincase are known though much of their morphology is the same as ''Giganotosaurus''. 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. 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. 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. If like '' Tyrannotitan'' and ''Giganotosaurus'', the dentary would have 16 alveoli (tooth sockets).

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. Carcharodontosaurid teeth are some of the largest of any dinosaur group, with a maxillary tooth from SNSB-BSPG 1922 X 46 being tall and wide. 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''. 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.

Brain and inner ear

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.

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.

Postcrania

Few postcranial elements are confidently known from ''Carcharodontosaurus,'' though many isolated bones from the Sahara have been referred to the genus without detailed study. 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. 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''. 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''. This cervical vertebra is stout and (concave posterior ends). Its preserved length is As in ''Giganotosaurus'', the vertebra is topped by low neural spines joined with sturdy which hung over the (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.

Classification

Systematics

''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.

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. ''Carcharodontosaurus'' is more poorly known than most other carcharodontosaurids, with ''Meraxes'' and ''Giganotosaurus'' represented by nearly complete skeletons. Carcharodontosaurians have been recognized from the Late Jurassic to the Mid-Cretaceous of every continent except Antarctica.

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. 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.

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:

Evolution

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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Paleobiology

Lifting capabilities

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 , half the weight of an adult ''Limaysaurus''. However, two ''C. saharicus'' adults could together lift as much as .

Feeding and diet

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. 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.

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. 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.

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. This is further supported by the taphonomy of ''C. saharicus'' teeth, which are more often found in land terrains than aquatic ones. ''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.

Crest function

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.

Vision

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.

Pathology

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. This skull bears a circular puncture wound in the nasal and "an abnormal projection of bone on the antorbital rim". A later study theorized that this was the result of craniofacial bites.

Paleoenvironment

Fossils of ''Carcharodontosaurus'' are known from several Cretaceous-age sites across North Africa, similar to the ranges of ''Spinosaurus'' and '' Deltadromeus''. 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. 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. These riverine deposits bore large fishes, including the sawskate ''Onchopristis'', coelacanth '' Mawsonia'', and bichir '' Bawitius''. 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. Morocco also bore an abundance of pterosaurs like ''Siroccopteryx'' and '' Nicorhynchus''.

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. 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. It also coexisted with the sauropod '' Rebbachisaurus'' which is found in the Kem Kem Beds. 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.

References

Bibliography

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{{Taxonbar, from1=Q14431, from2=Q2313178, from3=Q12899173

Carcharodontosauridae
Dinosaur genera
Cenomanian dinosaurs
Fossil taxa described in 1931
Taxa named by Ernst Stromer
Dinosaurs of Morocco
Taxa with lost type specimens