In Depth Berberosaurus will catch the eye of anyone interested in theropod dinosaurs because the genus may represent the oldest ceratosaur, though not everyone is in agreement. The original description of Berberosaurus came to the conclusion that Berberosaurus was an abelisauroid that was more advanced than genera such as Elaphrosaurus and Spinostropheus, though more primitive … Read more
In Depth Vallibonavenatrix is a genus of spinosaurid dinosaur that lived in Spain during the early Cretaceous. As a spinosaurid, Vallibonavenatrix is expected to have been a predatory dinosaur, primarily hunting for aquatic creatures in the water systems of the time. Further Reading - A new spinosaurid theropod (Dinosauria: Megalosauroidea) from the late Barremian of … Read more
In Depth The discovery of Xiaotingia caused some upset in the paleontological community because of its similarities to the world famous Archaeopteryx which has been hailed as the first bird since its discovery in 1861. This is because Xiaotingia is thought to be a dinosaur that is similar to a bird rather than a bird … Read more
In Depth Until 1970, Daspletosaurus was thought to be another specimen of Gorgosaurus. Both were active at the same time and location as one another, yet closer study of the Daspletosaurus revealed a much more powerful animal than the more lightly built Gorgosaurus. It has been surmised that the two predators may have focused their … Read more
In Depth Not much is known about this dinosaur except that the forelimbs appear to be quite large for a large carnivorous theropod. The discoverer theorised that it may of actually been quadrupedal, but this has since been refuted by other palaeontologists. Further Reading – [A new theropod dinosaur from the Middle Jurassic of Sichuan … Read more
In Depth Qiupanykus is a genus of alvarezasurid dinosaur that lived in Asia towards the end of the Cretaceous. Eggs of oviraptorid dinosaurs found near the holotype skeleton of Qiupanykus have led the describers of the genus that maybe Qiupanykus, and perhaps other alvarezsaurs, used the stout claws on their forelimbs to punch holes in … Read more
In Depth Kaijiangosaurus is only known from very fragmentary remains, so it is difficult to establish exactly where it belongs in relation with other dinosaurs. Further remains have been attributed to the genus but are currently undescribed, but some palaeontologists have leaned towards a classification within the Megalosauridae (the theropod dinosaur group typified by Megalosaurus). … Read more
In Depth Halszkaraptor is without doubt one of the most interesting dromaeosaurid dinosaurs ever discovered. Although a dromaeosaurid dinosaur, Halszkaraptor seems to have lived more like a modern day semi aquatic bird. Halszkaraptor could still walk about on land, the rear legs were easily strong enough for this. But the tail was not stiffened like … Read more
In Depth Fossils of Cruxicheiros were first discovered in 1960 when they were discovered in the Cross Hand Quarry of Warwickshire, which as you have no doubt already realised is the inspiration for the name Cruxicheiros which means ‘Cross Hand’. At the time the fossils were just lumped in with Megalosaurus, which has for a … Read more
In Depth As a coelophysid, Lucianovenator was a small predatory dinosaur similar in form to other genera such as Camposaurus and Coelophysis. Lucianovenator would have been a predator of small creatures such as lizards and possibly scavenging carrion when available. Lucianovenator shared the same habitat with the dinosaurs Ingentia and Leyesaurus, while other creatures such … Read more