Name:
Alnashetri
(Slender thighs).
Phonetic: Al-na-shet-ree.
Named By: Peter J. Makovicky, Sebasti�n
Apestegu�a, & Federico A. Gianechini - 2012.
Classification: Chordata, Reptilia, Dinosauria,
Theropoda, Coelurosauria, Maniraptoriformes, Alvarezsauroidea.
Species: A. cerropoliciensis
(type).
Diet: Carnivore/Insectivore.
Size: Uncertain due to lack of remains.
Known locations: Argentina, Rio Negro Province
- Candeleros Formation.
Time period: Cenomanian of the Cretaceous.
Fossil representation: Articulated hind limbs.
Although
only named from the description of hind legs, Alnashetri
has been
identified as an alvaresauroid. These small theropods are noted for
having short stubby arms with single claws pointing out, which may
helped them to feed upon certain types of prey like insects. This
remains unknown for certain with Alnashetri since
at the time of its
description these parts have still not been found, but in life the
genus is still expected to have this specialised limb reduction, or
at least a form of. Another problem with the lack of further remains
for this genus is that it is hard to establish how it is related to
other similar dinosaurs, but this can all change if another discovery
of a more complete individual is made.
The
name Alnashetri is from the Tehuelchan for
‘slender thighs’. The
species name A. cerropoliciensis is honour of the
village of Cerro
Polic�a, some of the residents of which have helped with fieldwork in
the La Buitrera locality.
Further reading
- A New Coelurosaurian Theropod from the La Buitrera Fossil Locality
of R�o Negro, Argentina, Peter J. Makovicky, Sebasti�n
Apestegu�a, & Federico A. Gianechini - 2012.