Describer

Novas, Chatterjee, Rudra & Datta 2010

Time

Cretaceous Late

Classification

Saurischia Theropoda Abelisauridae

Diet

Carnivore

Fossilsite

Lameta Formation near Rahioli village in Kheda District, Gujarat, India

Info

Abstract

Systematic excavations in the fluvial mudstone unit of the Upper Cretaceous Lameta Formation near Rahioli village in Kheda District, Gujarat, have yielded a large-bodied (~8 m long) abelisaurid theropod, Rahiolisaurus gujaratensis, gen. et sp. nov.

Abundant skeletal remains represent this new genus and species. Rahiolisaurus provides novel information on foot morphology, hitherto little known in other abelisaurids.

Rahiolisaurus gujaratensis is a gracile and slender-limbed abelisaurid that appears to be a distinctive taxon from the sympatric species Rajasaurus narmadensis.

Typespecies

The type is three associated elements: ISIR 550, right ilium; ISIR 554, right pubis; ISIR 557, right femur.

Referred specimens

(all from the same quarry): ISIR 401-433, 435-454, 464, 465, 475, 486-553, 555-556, 558-602, 645, 649, 657-660

Diagnosis

A slender abelisaur with fused premaxillary rugosae (\\\\\\\'interdental plates\\\\\\\' auct.) lacking vertical ridges; no dental foramina; premaxillary teeth teardrop-shaped in cross section; mesial keel faint, rounded distal edge; iliac blade with deep caudal notch on postacetabular process; rod-like metatarsal I; metatarsal II with pronounced proximal narrowing.