Koparion

Koe-pah-re-on.
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Claire Morris

Marine Paleontologist

Claire Morris has dedicated her career to exploring the depths of prehistoric oceans. Her fascination with ancient marine life has led her to discover significant fossils that illuminate the evolution of early sea creatures.

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Name

Koparion ‭(‬After an ancient version of a scalpel‭).

Phonetic

Koe-pah-re-on.

Named By

D.‭ ‬J.‭ ‬Chure‭ ‬-‭ ‬1994.

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Reptilia,‭ ‬Dinosauria,‭ ‬Saurischia,‭ ‬Theropoda,‭ ‬Coelurosauria,‭ ‬Troodontidae.

Diet

Carnivore.

Species

K.‭ ‬douglassi‭

Size

Unavailable due to incomplete remains.

Known locations

USA,‭ ‬Utah‭ ‬-‭ ‬Morrison Formation.

Time Period

Kimmeridgian of the Jurassic.

Fossil representation

Teeth.

In Depth

       The name Koparion is based upon the comparison of the serrated teeth‭ (‬currently the only known parts of this dinosaur‭) ‬to ancient versions of scalpels.‭ ‬Despite the lack of overall remains,‭ ‬Koparion is widely regarded as being a troodontid and if this is correct,‭ ‬it would be one of the if not the oldest troodontid currently known.‭ ‬There is counter speculation however that the Koparion teeth may be those of a different kind of dinosaur.‭

Further Reading

– Koparion douglassi, a new dinosaur from the Morrison Formation (Upper Jurassic) of Dinosaur National Monument; the oldest troodontid (Theropoda: Maniraptora). – Brigham Young University Geology Studies 40:11-15. – D. J. Chure – 1994.

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT