[D] Ornithodesmus cluniculus [sG] [T]
Describer
Seeley, 1887
Time
Cretaceous Early Barremian
Classification
Saurischia Theropoda Incertae Sedis
Diet
Carnivore
Fossilsite
Isle of Wight, England
Info
Genus - Typespecies
\\\"bird link\\\" Referring to the supposed avian affinities indicated by an isolated sacrum. New research indicates Seeley\\\'s type specimen a sacrum, BMNH R187 belongs to a small theropod, not a pterosaur as long thought. Later specimens identified as \\\"Ornithodesmus\\\" represent a new genus of \\\"duck-billed\\\" pterosaur named Istiodactylus latidens
\\\"The relative lengths of sacrals 5 and 6 serve to distinguish this sacrum from that of Saurornithoides, in which sacral 6 is the same length as sacral 5. It is impossible to diagnose Ornithodesmus cluniculus with respect to any other troodontids, as no other genera are represented by sacral material.
Ornithodesmus cluniculus must be considered to be a nomen vanum (sensu Simpson, 1945, p.27; Simpson, 1948, p. 31; Mones, 1989) within the family Troodontidae, as the holotype and only specimen is insufficient for comprehensive diagnosis.\\\"
Seeley, 1887
Time
Cretaceous Early Barremian
Classification
Saurischia Theropoda Incertae Sedis
Diet
Carnivore
Fossilsite
Isle of Wight, England
Info
Genus - Typespecies
\\\"bird link\\\" Referring to the supposed avian affinities indicated by an isolated sacrum. New research indicates Seeley\\\'s type specimen a sacrum, BMNH R187 belongs to a small theropod, not a pterosaur as long thought. Later specimens identified as \\\"Ornithodesmus\\\" represent a new genus of \\\"duck-billed\\\" pterosaur named Istiodactylus latidens
\\\"The relative lengths of sacrals 5 and 6 serve to distinguish this sacrum from that of Saurornithoides, in which sacral 6 is the same length as sacral 5. It is impossible to diagnose Ornithodesmus cluniculus with respect to any other troodontids, as no other genera are represented by sacral material.
Ornithodesmus cluniculus must be considered to be a nomen vanum (sensu Simpson, 1945, p.27; Simpson, 1948, p. 31; Mones, 1989) within the family Troodontidae, as the holotype and only specimen is insufficient for comprehensive diagnosis.\\\"