Name:
Xixiasaurus
(Xixia lizard).
Phonetic: Ze-ze-ah-sore-us.
Named By: J. L�, L. Xu, Y. Liu, X.
Zhang, S. Jia, & Q. Ji. 2010.
Classification: Chordata, Reptilia, Dinosauria,
Saurischia, Theropoda, Deinonychosauria, Troodontidae.
Species: X. henanensis
(type).
Diet: Carnivore.
Size: Roughly estimated to be about 1.5 meters long.
Known locations: China, Henan Province, Xixia
County - Majiacun Formation.
Time period: Santonian/Coniacian of the Cretaceous.
Fossil representation: Partial skull and partial
post cranial remains.
Xixiasaurus is a troodont genus thought to possibly be closely related to Byronosaurus and Urbacodon. Part of this reasoning is that the teeth of Xixiasaurus lacked serrations. Care should be taken not to confuse Xixiasaurus with the alvarezsaur genus Xixianykus that is also known from the same formation as Xixiasaurus.
Further reading
- A new troodontid theropod from the Late Cretaceous of central
China, and the radiation of Asian troodontids - J. L�, L.
Xu, Y. Liu, X. Zhang, S. Jia, & Q. Ji. 2010.