Name:
Vespersaurus
(West lizard).
Phonetic: Ves-per-sore-us.
Named By: M. C. Langer, N. Martins, P.
C. Manzig, G. S. Ferreira, J. C. Marsola, E.
Fortes, R. Lima, L. C. F. Sant’ana, L. S. Vidal,
R. H. Loren�ato & M. D. Ezcurra - 2019.
Classification: Chordata, Reptilia, Dinosauria,
Saurischia, Theropoda, Noasauridae, Noasaurinae.
Species: V. paranaensis
(type).
Diet: Carnivore.
Size: Holotype about 1.5 meters long.
Known locations: Brazil - Rio Paran� Formation.
Time period: Late Cretaceous.
Fossil representation: Partial remains.
Vespersaurus
is a genus of noasaurine theropod dinosaur that lived in South America
during the Late Cretaceous. At the time of its description
Vespersaurus is notable for two reasons. First is
that the
Vespersaurus holotype fossils were discovered in an
area that back in
the early Cretaceous was part of a huge desert, suggesting that
Vespersaurus was more of a desert dwelling
dinosaur. Second is that
the third toe of the foot is enlarged and bore all of the body weight.
This might reflect a specialist adaption to its environment and/or
lifestyle.
Further reading
- A new desert-dwelling dinosaur (Theropoda, Noasaurinae) from
the Cretaceous of south Brazil. - Scientific Reports
9(9379). - M. C. Langer, N. Martins, P. C.
Manzig, G. S. Ferreira, J. C. Marsola, E. Fortes,
R. Lima, L. C. F. Sant’ana, L. S. Vidal, R. H.
Loren�ato & M. D. Ezcurra - 2019.