Shenzhousaurus
Name:
Shenzhousaurus
(Shenzhou lizard).
Phonetic: Shen-zoo-sore-us.
Named By: Qiang Ji, Mark Norell, Peter J.
Makovicky, Keqin Gao, Shu-An Ji & Chongxi Yuan -
2003.
Classification: Chordata, Reptilia, Dinosauria,
Saurischia, Theropoda, Maniraptoriformes, Ornithomimosauria.
Species: S. orientalis (type).
Diet: Uncertain.
Size: Estimated 1.5 meters long. Skull 18.5
centimetres long.
Known locations: China, Liaoning Province -
Yixian Formation.
Time period: Aptian of the Cretaceous.
Fossil representation: Partial skeleton and skull
preserved on a slab.
Along
with Sinornithomimus,
Shenzhousaurus is one of the few
ornithomimosaurs
that are known to have had gastroliths inside their
stomachs. This has led to the suggestion that Shenzhousaurus
had a
greater leaning towards a herbivorous diet since gastroliths are
usually associated with herbivorous animals. However it is not
unknown for some predatory animals to have them, including the
theropod dinosaur Lourinhanosaurus.
The
presence of teeth in the lower jaw also confirms the placement of
Shenzhousaurus as a basal ornithomimosaur since
later forms would just
have a toothless keratinous beak.
Further reading
- An Early Ostrich Dinosaur and Implications for Ornithomimosaur
Phylogeny. - American Museum Novitates. Q. Ji, M. Norell, P. J.
Makovicky, K. Gao, S. Ji & C. Yuan - 2003.
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