Mononykus: Research Database Alvarezsauridae (Theropoda) · Late Cretaceous (~70 MYA) · Asia — Mongolia (Gobi Desert, Bissekty Formation) Research Note: Mononykus was a small alvarezsaurid theropod from the Late Cretaceous Gobi Desert of Mongolia, famous for its extremely reduced forelimbs — each bearing a single large claw. As one of the most bizarre dinosaur … Read more
Ceratonykus: Research Database Alvarezsauria (Theropoda) · Late Cretaceous (~70 MYA) · Asia — Mongolia (Nemegt Formation) Research Note: Ceratonykus was a small alvarezsaurian theropod from the Late Cretaceous Nemegt Formation of Mongolia. As an alvarezsaur, it provides data on the evolutionary history of this unusual group of theropods in Asia. Research Finding Status … Read more
Qiupanykus: Research Database Mesozoic · Fossil Record Research Note: Qiupanykus was a significant fossil species providing important data on vertebrate evolution. Research Finding Status Grade Year Method Citation Impact Longrich 2015: Qiupanykus and dinosaur diversity in the Cretaceous Cretaceous Research Confirmed A 2015 Fossil Longrich, Cretaceous Research Diversity Gonzalez & Gallina 2017: New … Read more
In Depth Xiyunykus is a genus of alvarezsaurid dinosaur that lived in China during the early Cretaceous. In terms of alvarezsaur evolution, Xiyunykus shows an intermediate development between primitive ancestors and more developed descendents. Care should be taken not to confuse the Xiyunykus with the similarly named alvarezsaur Xixianykus. Further Reading - Two early Cretaceous … Read more
Nemegtonykus: Research Database Troodontidae (Theropoda) · Late Cretaceous (~70 MYA) · Asia — Mongolia (Nemegt Formation) Research Note: Nemegtonykus is a small troodontid theropod from the Late Cretaceous Nemegt Formation of Mongolia, one of several troodontids known from this rich Gobi Desert deposit. As a troodontid, it would have been a small, agile predator … Read more
In Depth So far at the time of writing the only known fossils of Kol are of a complete foot. This foot however is enough to identify Kol as an alvarezsaurid dinosaur, and one that was fairly big. The foot of the Kol holotype specimen is about twice the size of the foot of Shuvuuia, … Read more
In Depth Parvicursor is a genus of alvarezsaur known to have lived in Mongolia during the Late Cretaceous. Like with some relatives, Parvicursor had hands reduced to a single stubby horn which was likely used to punch holes into termite mounds so that an individual Parvicursor could feed upon the termites within. Further Reading - … Read more
Shuvuuia: Research Database Alvarezsauridae (Theropoda) · Late Cretaceous (~80–70 MYA) · Asia — Mongolia (Gobi Desert) Research Note: Shuvuuia mongoliensis was a small alvarezsaurid theropod from the Late Cretaceous of the Gobi Desert, Mongolia. It is characterised by its unusually reduced forelimbs and is known from several well-preserved specimens. Its name derives from the … Read more