Linhevenator

Lin-he-ven-ah-tor.
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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

Linhevenator ‭(‬Linhe hunter‭)‬.

Phonetic

Lin-he-ven-ah-tor.

Named By

Xing Xu,‭ ‬Qingwei Tan,‭ ‬Corwin Sullivan,‭ ‬Fenglu Han‭ & ‬Dong Xiao‭ ‬-‭ ‬2011.

Classification

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

Diet

Carnivore.

Species

L.‭ ‬tani

Size

At least‭ ‬2‭ ‬meters long.

Known locations

Mongolia‭ ‬-‭ ‬Bayan Mandahu Formation‭ (‬a.k.a.‭ ‬Wulansuhai Formation‭).

Time Period

Campanian of the Cretaceous.

Fossil representation

Skull,‭ ‬mandible and partial post cranial skeleton,‭ ‬but of a weathered individual.

In Depth

       Although weathered and not entirely complete,‭ ‬the holotype of Linhevenator is still one of the most complete Late Cretaceous troodontid individuals so far known.‭ ‬Linhevenator is towards the larger end of the known troodontid size range,‭ ‬but its main unique features are its small arms,‭ ‬each with a very robust humerus.‭ ‬This may have been an adaptation for a special purpose,‭ ‬such as digging to get at prey.

Further Reading

-‭ ‬A Short-Armed Troodontid Dinosaur from the Upper Cretaceous of Inner Mongolia and Its Implications for Troodontid Evolution. -‭ ‬Xing Xu,‭ ‬Qingwei Tan,‭ ‬Corwin Sullivan,‭ ‬Fenglu Han‭ & ‬Dong Xiao‭ ‬-‭ ‬2011.

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT