Macrogryphosaurus (meaning big enigmatic lizard) was an ornithopod dinosaur which lived in Cretaceous South America. The type species is Macrogryphosaurus gondwanicus.
Discovery and Naming[]
In 1999, during a field work, a nearly complete dinosaur fossil was discovered. Then, it was brought to the attention of paleontologists by Rafael Moyano. In 2007, a study by Jorge O. Calvo, Juan D. Porfiri, and Fernando E. Novas named and described it. The generic name combines "Macro" and "Gryphosaurus", while the specific name is "gondwanicus".
Description[]
It is extremely large compared to other South American ornithopods. It has intercoastal plates, a characteristic of Macrogryphosaurus. It has a fused sternum.
Classification[]
It is classified as a member of elasmaria. Its sister taxon is Talenkauen.
In the Media[]
- Macrogryphosaurus makes brief appearances in Walking with Dinosaurs Special: Land of Giants and is described by the presenter as an iguanodont.
Gallery[]
