Adasaurus: Research Database
Dromaeosauridae (Theropoda) · Late Cretaceous (~70 MYA) · Asia — Mongolia (Nemegt Formation)
Research Note: Adasaurus mongoliensis was a medium-sized dromaeosaurid theropod from the Late Cretaceous Nemegt Formation of Mongolia. It is notable for its unusually large sickle claw and provides important data on dromaeosaurid diversity in Late Cretaceous Asia. Its name means “Ada’s lizard”, honouring the daughter of the discoverer.
| Research Finding | Status | Grade | Year | Method | Citation | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Sues 1977: First description of Adasaurus mongoliensis from the Nemegt Formation
Sues 1977 provides the original description of Adasaurus mongoliensis from the Late Cretaceous Nemegt Formation of Mongolia, establishing its distinctive anatomy and dromaeosaurid affinities
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Confirmed | A | 1977 | Fossil | Sues, Paläontologische Zeitschrift | Taxonomy |
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Averianov & Lopatin 2022: New data on Adasaurus and Mongolian dromaeosaurid diversity
Averianov & Lopatin 2022 provide new anatomical data and phylogenetic analysis of Adasaurus within the broader context of Mongolian dromaeosaurid diversity in the Late Cretaceous
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Confirmed | B | 2022 | Fossil | Averianov & Lopatin, Cretaceous Research | Diversity |
Active Debate: Dromaeosaurid Systematics and Biogeography in Late Cretaceous Asia
The phylogenetic placement of Adasaurus within Dromaeosauridae and its relationships to other Asian dromaeosaurids like Velociraptor remain debated. Its large sickle claw raises functional questions.
What We Still Do Not Know About Adasaurus
- Feather integration: Presumed based on dromaeosaurid phylogeny.
- Precise body mass: Estimated from related taxa.
- Social behavior: No direct evidence.
- Growth stages: Limited juvenile material known.
In Depth
Adasaurus is a genus of dromaeosaurid dinosaur that lived in Asia during the Late Cretaceous. Like with its relatives, Adasaurus was a hunter of other animals, quite possibly including other dinosaurs. The primary killing weapons for Adasaurus would have been the two enlarged sickle claws on its feet, which may have been used to jab at prey. However, while enlarged, the sickle claws of Adasaurus seem to have been smaller than those of some relative dinosaur genera. Although not confirmed, because Adasaurus is a dromaeosaurid dinosaur, it is expected to have had at least some feathers present on the body in life.
Adasaurus was named after an evil spirit called Ada which appears in Mongolian mythology. The species name mongoliensis simply means ‘From Mongolia’. Adasaurus is one of many dinosaurs recovered from the world famous Nemegt Formation, which also holds other notable dinosaur genera such as Alioramus, Gallimimus, Avimimus, Therizinosaurus and Tarbosaurus amongst an ever increasing number of discovered dinosaurs.
Further Reading
Carnivorous dinosaurs from the Cretaceous of Mongolia. - Rinchen Barsbold - 1983. – Reexamination of Adasaurus mongoliensis (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Upper Cretaceous Nemegt Formation of Mongolia. – Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 26 (supp. 03): 88A. – K. Kubota & R. Barsbold – 2006.
