Daliansaurus liaoningensis (meaning "Dalian reptile") is a genus of small troodontid theropod dinosaur, measuring approximately 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) long, from the Early Cretaceous of China.
Description[]
Daliansaurus was a relatively small sized troodontid, and was lightly built. Since many small Coelurusaurians are found with feathers, it is most likely Daliansaurus had them too. Daliansaurus was similar to its relatives such as Mei and Sinovenator, but differed from them in subtle ways.
Discovery and naming[]
Daliansaurus is known from a single nearly complete skeleton preserved in three dimensions.
Classification[]
Paleobiology[]
The long metatarsals present in Daliansaurus suggest that its running capabilities were better-developed than those of other troodontids. At the same time, the possible presence of uncinate processes on its ribs would have provided reinforcement for the rib cage, as well as an increase in the effectiveness of the muscles involved in breathing, as in modern birds.
Paleoecology[]
Daliansaurus most likely lived in lush jungles or forests, and lived alongside ornithischians such as Bolong, Jeholosaurus, Liaoningosaurus, and Psittacosaurus, avians such as Confuciusornis, and Shanweiniao, Deinonychosaurs such as Changyuraptor and Mei, and Large theropods such as Yutyrannus.
Gallery[]
