[D] Luanchuanraptor henanensis [sG] [T]
Describer
Lü, Xu, Zhang, Ji, Jia, Hu, Zhang and Wu 2007
Time
Cretaceous Late Campanian
Classification
Saurischia Theropoda Tetanurae Coelurosauria Dromaeosauridae
Diet
Carnivore
Fossilsite
Quiba Formation of Luanchuan area, western Henan, China
Info
Genus - Typespecies
Erected based on the following characters: about 24 posterior serrations per 5 millimeters on the posterior carnia of teeth; the proximal and posterior extensions of the haemal arch are short and trifurcated; the elongated prezygapophyses of the distal-most caudal vertebrae wrapped the preceding vertebra and the caudal vertebrae bear a low, blade-like neural spine between the prezygapophyses; the medial surface of the coracoid is strongly concave; the shaft of the humerus is straight and the deltopectoral crest extends over almost the proximal half of the humerus. Luanchuanraptor henanensis represents the first dromaeosaurid dinosaur found outside the Gobi region and northeastern China in Asia.
Etymology
Luanchuan refers to the Chinese administrative unit Luanchuan County of Henan Province which the holotype belongs to. Henan refers to Henan Province where the holotype site-Luanchuan administratively belongs to
Holotype
Four nearly complete teeth; one nearly complete left frontal; one posterior cervical vertebra, one anterior dorsal vertebrae (possibly the first dorsal vertebra), two anterior caudal vertebrae, two middle caudal vertebrae, 13 posterior caudal vertebrae, anterior middle and posterior heamal arches, complete left scapulocaracoid, righ humerus, complete right ilium and left pubis and other fragments.
Diagnosis
A middle sized dromaeosaurid dinosaur differs from other dromaeosaurid dinosaurs in the the elongated prezygapophyses of the distalmost caudals spanning only one preceding vertebrae and the caudals bear a low blade-ilke neural spine between the prezygapophyses indicating an unflexible end of the tail; a distinct groove is present in the position of the neural spine in some distal caudal vertebrae; the anterior haemel arches are bridged; the proximal and posterior extensions of the posterior haemel arche are short and trifurcated with short middle process; and large deep cancavity present on the medial surface of the coracoid. The deltepectoral crest of the humerus extends over the proximal half of the humerus.