Hesperonyx (meaning Western Claw) is an extinct genus of basal ornithopod that lived in Portugal in the Late Jurassic. The type and only species is Hesperonyx martinhotomasourm.
Description[]
The holotype (ML 2700) is known from fragmented bones of the forelimbs, hindlimbs, and is 3-4 (9.8-13.1ft) meters long.
Discovery and Naming[]
The holotype specimen was discovered in sediments of Porto Novo member, Lourinha formation in 2021. In 2024, Rotartori described it as a new genus. the generic name combines Hesperus and onyx. The specific name is named after Michael Martinho and Carla Alexander Tomas.
Classification[]
The classification of Hesperonyx is up for debate, but it could be classified as either a very basal member of Dryosauridae or a basal non-dryosaurid dryomorphan.
Paleoecology[]
It coexisted with Draconyx and several others in the Lourinha formation, such as Torvosaurus.
Gallery[]
