[D] Megaraptor namunhuaiquii [sG] [T]
Describer
Novas, 1998
Time
Cretaceous Late Turonian Coniacian
Classification
Saurischia Theropoda Tetanurae Coelurosauria Incertae Sedis
Diet
Carnivore
Fossilsite
Rio Neuquen Formation, Sierra del Portezuelo, Provincia de Neuquen, Argentina
Length
9 meter
Info
Genus - Typespecies
A large but gracile theropod with enlarged pedal \\\"killer claw,\\\" a metatarsal, an ulna, and a manual phalanx.
MCF-PVPH 79 (holotype): Ulna (332 mm), manual phalanx (188 mm), distal half of metatarsal III (~453 mm), pedal ungual (?digit II) (310 mm). Novas, F.E. (1998). Megaraptor namunhuaiquii, gen. et sp. nov., a large-clawed, Late Cretaceous theropod from Patagonia. J. Vert. Paleontol. 18: 4-9. The estimate is based on Deinonychus, extrapolating from metatarsal width. [M.Mortimer]
Etymology
(Gr.) mega, large and (Latin) raptor, thief and namun, foot and huaiqui, lance (Moesbach et al, 1993) Mapuche Indian names refering to the enormous and sharp pedal ungual.