Figure 4: Evolutionary relationships of apex predators in the Late Jurassic and Cretaceous of North America.
From: Neovenatorid theropods are apex predators in the Late Cretaceous of North America
Apex predator role defined as largest predators per time bin, generally estimated as species with a femur length >1 m15; (a) trifaunal characterization of predator guilds with unique taxonomic and mass compositions: a diverse, mixed mass, Late Jurassic predator assemblage, mid-Cretaceous gigantic carcharodontosaurian dominated fauna and terminal large-bodied to gigantic tyrannosaurid guild. Grey boxes on timescale to left indicate spans when apex predators achieved gigantism, topping estimates of 3,500 kg30. Chronostratigraphic occurrences follow30; (b) combinable component consensus tree showing taxonomy and relationships of North American predators during this interval and S. meekerorum posited as a megaraptoran neovenatorid. Numbers at nodes denote Bremer support values. Taxon colours consistent between parts a and b. Ma equals million years ago.
