Theropod dinosaurs, represented by Tyrannosaurus rex (T. rex) and Velociraptor, have long been depicted as constantly displaying their fearsome teeth outside their mouths, similar to crocodiles. The movie "Jurassic Park" greatly influenced this perception.
However, new research has revealed that the teeth of Tyrannosaurus were not protruding like a crocodile's but were instead hidden inside thin lips, similar to those of lizards.
An international research team led by Dr. Thomas Cullen, an assistant professor of paleontology at Auburn University in the United States, published an analysis in the scientific journal Science, reported by Yonhap News on the 31st, stating that the anatomical structure and function of theropod dinosaur mouths are more similar to lizards than crocodiles, suggesting that their teeth were covered by lips covered with scales.
Theropods, carnivorous dinosaurs that caught other animals with sharp teeth and claws, were generally thought to have large dagger-like teeth that protruded sharply outside the mouth even when closed, like crocodiles.
Edmontosaurus being caught and eaten by a lip-bearing Tyrannosaurus [Image source provided by Mark Witton]
Dr. Mark Witton, a paleontologist at the University of Portsmouth in the UK and co-author of the paper, commented, "Since dinosaur restorations began in the 19th century, dinosaurs have sometimes been depicted with lips and sometimes without, but in the 1980s and 1990s, the trend shifted toward lipless depictions, deeply rooted in popular culture through movies and documentaries. However, there was no research or discovery to stimulate this change, and it seems to have been driven more by an aesthetic preference to appear fierce rather than scientific reasoning."
He added, "We have overturned this popular depiction, which means that many dinosaur portrayals, including the Tyrannosaurus in Jurassic Park, are inaccurate."
Additionally, small holes connecting nerves and blood vessels to the gums and tissues around the mouth were found around the jaws of theropod dinosaurs, which are more similar to those of lizards than crocodiles.
The research team stated that these findings suggest that all theropods had their teeth completely covered by lips when their mouths were closed, which affects not only the depiction of dinosaurs in science and popular culture but also the understanding of dinosaur tooth structure, feeding ecology, and biomechanics.
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