| Megaraptor | |
|---|---|
| |
| Life restoration of Megaraptor | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Order: | Saurischia |
| Suborder: | Theropoda |
| Clade: | Avetheropoda |
| Clade: | †Megaraptora |
| Genus: | †Megaraptor Novas, 1998 |
| Species: | †M. namunhuaiquii |
| Binomial name | |
| Megaraptor namunhuaiquii Novas, 1998 | |
General Information
Megaraptor was a large theropod of the Cretaceous Period, 84 to 65 mya.It's most distinguishing feature was on each hand had a 14 inch (35 cm) sickle-like claw on it's thumb and the other fingers had smaller claws. When alive, this claw would have been sheathed in a horny, keratinous material much like our fingernails, making the claw even bigger, longer and sharper. The tail was probably used for balance and fast turning. It may have had a relatively large brain and large eyes. Megaraptor was about 25–26 feet (7.5–8 m) long. Initially, Megaraptor was generally titled to be the biggest dromaeosaur, and it has been historically considered a spinosaurid, a carcharodontosaurid related to Neovenator, or a coelurosaur, possibly even a tyrannosauroid. The most widely accepted placements are as a basal coelurosaur or a relative of Neovenator. But recent studies claim Megaraptor might a tyrannosauroid; however the recent estimates deny this claim and show the animal's linage closer to a basal coelurosaur.
Discovery
Incomplete Megaraptor remains were found in 1996 in Northwest Patagonia, Argentina, by paleontologist Fernando E. Novas. Novas named it in 1998 (when it was still thought to be a raptor, hence the name). Fossils included a huge sickle-shaped claw, metatarsal, ulna, and a finger bone. [1]
Hypothetical reconstructed skeleton
History
Discovered in 1997 in Argentina, Megaraptor was found associated with the fossil remains of Unenlagia, a bird-like dinosaur. There is some speculation that Megaraptor was the adult version of Unenlagia, which is known from an apparently juvenile specimen. Remains of a specimen similar to those of the Megaraptor have also recently been found in China and await study. [2]
In The Media
- A Megaraptor named Marco featured in 1 episode of Dinosaur Train: Big Misty Sea Fishing Contest where He, Mr. Pteranodon & The old Spinosaurus have a contest to see who can catch the Biggest Fish in the Misty Sea.
- Megaraptor appeared on Dinosaur King.
- Megaraptor appeared in the video game Warpath: Jurassic Park.
References
- Name Pronunciation/Phylum/Genus/Superoder/Kingdom wikipedia [3]
- History from [4]
- Discovery [5]
- General Information [6]
- Megaraptor Details Picture [7]