Albinykus

Al-bin-e-kus.
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Cassidy Wood

Paleoentomologist

Cassidy Wood uncovers the tiny yet significant world of prehistoric insects. Her research on amber-preserved specimens has revealed intricate details about ancient ecosystems.

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Name

Albinykus.

Phonetic

Al-bin-e-kus.

Named By

Sterling J.‭ ‬Nesbitt,‭ ‬Julia A.‭ ‬Clarke,‭ ‬Alan H.‭ ‬Turner and Mark A.‭ ‬Norell‭ ‬-‭ ‬2011.

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Reptilia,‭ ‬Dinosauria,‭ ‬Saurischia,‭ ‬Theropoda,‭ ‬Maniraptora,‭ ‬Alvarezsauridae,‭ ‬Parvicursorinae,‭ ‬Ceratonykini.

Diet

Insectivore‭?

Species

A.‭ ‬baatar‭

Size

Uncertain‭ ‬due to lack of remains,‭ ‬but estimated to be about‭ ‬1kg in weight.

Known locations

Mongolia‭ ‬-‭ ‬Javkhlant Formation.

Time Period

Santonian of the Cretaceous.

Fossil representation

Pelvis and hind limbs‭ (‬IGM‭ ‬100/3004‭)‬.

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 in at least some theropod‭ (‬mostly maniraptorian‭) ‬dinosaurs was fairly common.

       Unfortunately the lack of further skeletal and cranial remains means that there is still much we don‭’‬t know about this genus,‭ ‬but as an alvarezsaur,‭ ‬Albinykus would be expected to have very short stubby arms,‭ ‬possibly ending in just a single claw,‭ ‬while possibly‭ ‬being‭ ‬insectivorous in its dietary habits.‭ ‬While the exact size of Albinykus is unknown,‭ ‬the remains of the holotype indicate that this was one of the smallest alvaresaurs so far discovered.

Further Reading

-‭ ‬A small alvarezsaurid from the eastern Gobi Desert offers insight into evolutionary patterns in the Alvarezsauroidea,‭ ‬Sterling J.‭ ‬Nesbitt,‭ ‬Julia A.‭ ‬Clarke,‭ ‬Alan H.‭ ‬Turner and Mark A.‭ ‬Norell‭ ‬-‭ ‬2011.

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