In Depth Gannansaurus is a little known genus of sauropod dinosaur that lived in China during the late Cretaceous. Because the genus is based upon the description of what is in essence one and a half vertebra very little can be said about this dinosaur. However, the vertebrae of Gannansaurus do show a similarity to … Read more
In Depth This large abelisaurid roamed ancient Patagonia where it may have competed with other predatory dinosaurs like the contempory carcharodontosaurid Mapusaurus. Skorpiovenator shares the same characteristic short but high skull morphology, and may not have had a large bite force, as has been suggested for some other abelisaurids. Skorpiovenator may have used its deep … Read more
In Depth Aerosteon was a member of Megaraptora, a group of lightly built theropod dinosaurs that are notable for having enlarged claws upon their hands. The name of this group is derived from the misidentification of first member of the group, Megaraptor being misdentified as a dromaeosaurid ‘raptor’ based upon the presence of a single … Read more
In Depth Much of Australovenator is missing but the parts which are known show a lightweight and fast carnivore that could run down its prey. Study of the fossils have also brought similarities and comparisons between Fukuiraptor from Japan, and Megaraptor from South America, and for this reasons Australovenator is usually termed as a megaraptoran … Read more
In Depth Eodromaeus is a very exciting find as it may well represent one of the earliest theropods. First thought to have been more fossils of Eoraptor, study by Paul Sereno revealed features not present in Eoraptor. With the fossils realised as a new dinosaur, the fossil description was published with the name Eodromaeus, a … Read more
In Depth A small alvarezsaur, one of the notable things about Albinykus is that even though it is only known by its hind quarters, these were found in a crouching position. Oviraptosaurs and troodonts are also known to have crouched, so the discovery that alvarezsaurs like Albinykus could also enter this position indicates that crouching … Read more
In Depth Powellvenator is a genus of coelophysoid dinosaur that lived in South America during the late Triassic. Further Reading - A New Early Coelophysoid Neotheropod from the Late Triassic of Northwestern Argentina. - Gondwanan Perspectives 54(5):506-538. - M. D. Ezcurra - 2017.
In Depth At just over half a meter in length, Shuvuuia is not just one of the smallest alvarezsaurs, it is among the smallest known dinosaurs. It is thanks to this small size that the Shuvuuia holotype was so well preserved because it could be buried much more quickly than a larger dinosaur (larger dinosaurs … Read more
In Depth Coelophysis is frequently used as an example of the early dinosaurs. Its bipedal stance from two legs that supported its body from underneath as opposed to sticking out to the sides, smaller arms and head mounted on an ‘S curved’ neck give it the distinctive theropod look. Coelophysis also had sharp recurved teeth … Read more
In Depth At the time of writing the only parts of the dinosaur Pycnonemosaurus that have been recovered include some legs and hip bones as well as caudal (tail) vertebrae and teeth. These parts however are enough to identify Pycnonemosaurus as an abelisaurid theropod dinosaur. Like with other abelisaurs, Pycnonemosaurus would be expected to have … Read more