Tralkasaurus

Tral-kah-sore-us.
Published on

Lilah Turner

Evolutionary Biologist

Lilah Turner investigates how prehistoric animals adapted to changing environments, offering insights into evolution's mechanisms.

Cite Feedback Print

Name

Tralkasaurus (Thunder lizard).

Phonetic

Tral-kah-sore-us.

Named By

M. A. Cerroni, M. J. Motta, F. L. Agnolin, A. M. Aranciaga Rolando, F. Briss�n Egli & F. E. Novas - 2019.

Classification

Chordata, Reptilia, Dinosauria, Saurischia, Theropoda, Abelisauridae.

Diet

Carnivore.

Species

T. cuyi

Size

Holotype roughly estimated at about 4 meters long.

Known locations

Argentina, Rio Negro Province - Huincul Formation.

Time Period

Cenomanian/Turonian of the Cretaceous.

Fossil representation

Partial remains of the skull and post cranial skeleton.

In Depth

       Tralkasaurus was named from very partial fossil remains, so it is hard to be certain and the full life features of this dinosuar. At the time of discovery, what can be said is that Tralkasaurus seems to have been an abelisaurid theropod, and one that seems to have been smaller than most other known abelisaurid dinosaurs. This perhaps by might reflect a different prey specialisation for Tralkasaurus, one that avoided it competing with other larger theropod dinosaurs in its ecosystem, such as carcharodontosaurids and megaraptorans.

       Other abelisaurid theropod dinosaurs from the same Hincal Formation that Tralkasaurus is known from include Skorpiovenator and Ilokelesia. Other dinosaurs in general that Tralkasaurus may have encountered include Mapusaurus, Limaysaurus and the massive Argentinosaurus.

Further Reading

– A new abelisaurid from the Huincul Formation (Cenomanian-Turonian; Upper Cretaceous) of R�o Negro Province, Argentina. – Journal of South American Earth Sciences. – M. A. Cerroni, M. J. Motta, F. L. Agnolin, A. M. Aranciaga Rolando, F. Briss�n Egli & F. E. Novas – 2019.

Never Miss a New Species or Fossil Discovery!

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT

Stegosaurus