Name:
Tralkasaurus
(Thunder lizard).
Phonetic: Tral-kah-sore-us.
Named By: M. A. Cerroni, M. J. Motta, F. L. Agnolin,
A. M. Aranciaga Rolando, F. Briss�n Egli & F. E. Novas - 2019.
Classification: Chordata, Reptilia, Dinosauria,
Saurischia, Theropoda, Abelisauridae.
Species: T. cuyi (type).
Diet: Carnivore.
Size: Holotype roughly estimated at about 4 meters
long.
Known locations: Argentina, Rio Negro Province -
Huincul Formation.
Time period: Cenomanian/Turonian of the Cretaceous.
Fossil representation: Partial remains of the skull
and post cranial skeleton.
Tralkasaurus
was named from very partial fossil remains, so it is hard to be certain
and the full life features of this dinosuar. At the time of discovery,
what can be said is that Tralkasaurus seems to have
been an abelisaurid
theropod, and one that seems to have been smaller than most other known
abelisaurid dinosaurs. This perhaps by might reflect a different prey
specialisation for Tralkasaurus, one that avoided
it competing with
other larger theropod dinosaurs in its ecosystem, such as
carcharodontosaurids
and megaraptorans.
Other
abelisaurid theropod dinosaurs from the same Hincal Formation that
Tralkasaurus is known from include Skorpiovenator
and Ilokelesia.
Other
dinosaurs in general that Tralkasaurus may have
encountered include
Mapusaurus,
Limaysaurus
and the massive Argentinosaurus.
Further reading
- A new abelisaurid from the Huincul Formation (Cenomanian-Turonian;
Upper Cretaceous) of R�o Negro Province, Argentina. - Journal of South
American Earth Sciences. - M. A. Cerroni, M. J. Motta, F. L. Agnolin,
A. M. Aranciaga Rolando, F. Briss�n Egli & F. E. Novas - 2019.