[D] Velociraptor osmolskae
Describer
Godefroit, Currie, Li, Shang, and Dong 2008
Time
Cretaceous Late Campanian
Classification
Saurischia Theropoda Tetanurae Coelurosauria Dromaeosauridae
Diet
Carnivore
Fossilsite
Wulansuhai Formation, Bayan Madahu, Inner Mongolia, 15 km north of Bayan Mandahu Village, quarry SBDE 99BM–III, Urad Houqi, Bayan Nor League, China
Fall Under
Velociraptor mongoliensis
Info
Velociraptor mongoliensis (Osborn, 1924) > Ovoraptor djadochtari (Osborn, 1924) > Velociraptor osmolskae (Godefroit, Currie, Li, Shang, and Dong 2008)
Described on the basis of associated paired maxillae and a left lacrimal. The maxilla of this new taxon is characterized by its long rostral plate and its enlarged, teardrop-shaped promaxillary fenestra, which is as large as the maxillary fenestra. The teeth are robust and the serrations are weakly developed on their distal carinae. This new taxon appears more closely related to Velociraptor mongoliensis, from the Campanian Djadokhta Formation in Mongolia, than to other dromaeosaurids described to date.
The identification of the Bayan Mandahu Velociraptor as a distinct species is in keeping with the taxonomic distinction of the entire dinosaur fauna of this locality. Minor regional differences among Djadokhta-like localities in regards to their dinosaur faunas may reflect either some kind of geographic isolation, or small differences in their age or in their paleoenvironment.
Holotype
IMM 99NM–BYM–3/3 (A–C), paired maxillae and left lacrimal.
Etymology
Named in honor of Halszka Osmólska, for her contributions toward understanding of Asian theropods.
Diagnosis
Long rostral plate of maxilla, with elongation index L/H ratio 1.38. Promaxillary fenestra subequal in size to the maxillary fenestra and teardrop-shaped; long axis of the promaxillary fenestra perpendicular to the dorsal border of the maxilla; long axis of maxillary fenestra parallel to this border. Ten maxillary teeth with short unserrated carina on the apical end of the mesial edge and with incipient serrations on the distal carina