In Depth At the time of its description the genus Xixianykus represents the oldest known parvicursorine alvarezsaur discovered (others are dated to the Campanian/Maastrichtian eras). The legs of Xixianykus are of particular interest since they are about twenty centimetres long, which in relation to a total body length estimated at fifty centimetres long, means that … Read more
In Depth Santanaraptor has caused a stir within the palaeontological world not only because some palaeontologists think it is an early tyrannosaurid, but because it was found in South America, a continent long thought to be devoid of the presence of tyrannosaurs. Apart from similar skeletal features, Santanaraptor is in the right time and location … Read more
In Depth Mesadactylus was identified from a synsacrum, the area where the spinal column meets the hind quarters. Since then more fossil material has been referred to Mesadactylus, and despite minor differences, the suggestion has been made that Mesadactylus may possibly be the same species as Kepodactylus. Further Reading – Small pterosaurs and dinosaurs from … Read more