Sue (dinosaur)

Sue (dinosaur) is a well-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex specimen discovered in the Hell Creek Formation of South Dakota by Peter Larson and his team from the Black Hills Institute of Geological Research. The discovery of Sue was a significant event in the field of paleontology, attracting the attention of renowned paleontologists such as Robert Bakker and Jack Horner. Sue is considered one of the most complete and well-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex specimens ever found, with over 90% of its skeleton intact, and has been extensively studied by researchers from institutions like the University of Chicago and the American Museum of Natural History.

Introduction

Sue is a Tyrannosaurus rex specimen that has been the subject of extensive research and study by paleontologists from around the world, including Philip Currie and Hans-Dieter Sues. The specimen is named after Sue Hendrickson, the paleontologist who discovered it in 1990, and has been featured in numerous documentaries and exhibitions at museums like the Field Museum of Natural History and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Sue's discovery has shed new light on the biology and behavior of Tyrannosaurus rex, a topic of ongoing research at institutions like the University of California, Berkeley and the Yale University. The study of Sue has also involved collaboration with researchers from organizations like the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology and the Paleontological Society.

Discovery and Excavation

The discovery of Sue was made by Sue Hendrickson on August 12, 1990, while on an expedition with the Black Hills Institute of Geological Research in the Hell Creek Formation of South Dakota. The excavation of the specimen was led by Peter Larson and involved a team of paleontologists and technicians from the Black Hills Institute of Geological Research and the University of South Dakota. The excavation process was complex and required the use of specialized equipment and techniques, similar to those used in excavations at other famous fossil sites like the La Brea Tar Pits and the Dinosaur National Monument. The discovery of Sue was also covered by media outlets like the New York Times and the BBC, and has been the subject of numerous books and articles by authors like Stephen Jay Gould and Michael Crichton.

Characteristics and Anatomy

Sue is a remarkably well-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex specimen, with over 90% of its skeleton intact, including its skull, vertebrae, and limbs. The specimen measures over 40 feet in length and weighs several tons, making it one of the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex specimens ever found, comparable to other notable specimens like Trix and Wankel Rex. Sue's skeleton shows evidence of various pathologies, including a broken fibula and a infected tooth socket, which have provided valuable insights into the biology and behavior of Tyrannosaurus rex, a topic of ongoing research at institutions like the University of Texas at Austin and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. The study of Sue's anatomy has also involved collaboration with researchers from organizations like the National Science Foundation and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Classification and Significance

Sue is classified as a Tyrannosaurus rex specimen, a species of theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 67-65 million years ago, in what is now North America. The discovery of Sue has provided significant insights into the biology and behavior of Tyrannosaurus rex, including its diet, habitat, and social behavior, topics of ongoing research at institutions like the University of Alberta and the Royal Tyrrell Museum. Sue's discovery has also shed new light on the evolution and diversity of theropod dinosaurs during the Late Cretaceous period, a topic of ongoing research at institutions like the University of Cambridge and the Museum of the Rockies. The study of Sue has also involved collaboration with researchers from organizations like the Society for the Study of Evolution and the Paleontological Society of Japan.

Preservation and Exhibition

After its discovery, Sue was acquired by the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, where it was prepared and conserved by a team of paleontologists and technicians, including William F. Simpson and Kristen L. Chadwick. The specimen is now on permanent exhibition at the Field Museum of Natural History, where it is seen by millions of visitors each year, and has been the subject of numerous exhibitions and programs at other museums like the American Museum of Natural History and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Sue has also been the subject of extensive research and study by paleontologists from around the world, including Robert Bakker and Jack Horner, and has been featured in numerous documentaries and films produced by organizations like the BBC and the Discovery Channel. The preservation and exhibition of Sue have been made possible through the support of organizations like the National Geographic Society and the Institute for the Study of Earth and Man. Category:Dinosaurs