Variraptor

Name: Variraptor‭ (‬Hunter from Var‭).
Phonetic: Varr-i-rap-tor.
Named By: Le Loeuff‭ & ‬Buffetaut‭ ‬-‭ ‬1998.
Classification: Chordata,‭ ‬Reptilia,‭ ‬Dinosauridae,‭ ‬Saurischia,‭ ‬Theropoda,‭ ‬Dromaeosauridae.
Species: V.‭ ‬mechinorum.
Type: Carnivore.
Size: Approximately‭ ‬2‭ ‬meters long.
Known locations: France,‭ ‬Gr�s � Reptiles formation.
Time period: Campanian to Maastrichtian of the Cretaceous.
Fossil representation: Incomplete remains including,‭ ‬vertebra,‭ ‬sacrum,‭ ‬ilium,‭ ‬humerus.‭ ‬Other bones have been attributed including a femur,‭ ‬though some have doubts as to their validity for inclusion.

       Reconstruction of Variriaptor from available fossils is difficult as only partial remains exist.‭ ‬Discovered fossils do appear to be superficially similar to Deinonychus,‭ ‬although Variraptor appears to be of an overall smaller build.‭ ‬Some size estimates do have Variraptor reaching up‭ ‬to‭ three‭ ‬meters in length,‭ ‬although the smaller estimate of ‭two‭ ‬meters is more common.
       Variraptor has been considered by some to be a Nomen dubium due to lack of identifying features from existing remains. Additionally Variraptor is has been considered by some to have a potential synonymy with Pyroraptor.

Further reading
- A new dromaeosaurid theropod from the Upper Cretaceous of southern France. - Oryctos 1:105-112. - J. Le Loeuff & E. Buffetaut - 1998.

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