[D] Chindesaurus bryansmalli [sG] [T]
Describer
Long & Murry, 1995
Time
Triassic Late
Classification
Saurischia
Diet
Carnivore
Fossilsite
Chinle Formation, Petrified Forest National Park, Chinde Point, Arizona, US
Length
2 meter
Info
Genus - Typespecies
Chindesaurus bryansmalli was considered to be a Triassic theropod within the Herrerasauridae, however Nesbitt, S.J., Irmis, R.B. and Parker, W.G. (2007) regarded it as probably a basal saurischian dinosaur. According to them currently, the herrerasaurid affinities of Chindesaurus cannot be substantiated because of the great similarity of the preserved parts with Saturnalia and the absence of much of the skeleton. According to our dinosaur criteria and shared character states with Herrerasaurus, Chindesaurus is a valid taxon and is a member of the Dinosauria and possibly a basal saurischian. Unfortunately, until more complete material is recovered for Chindesaurus and an explicit phylogenetic analysis is completed, its exact affinities cannot be determined.
Long & Murry, 1995
Time
Triassic Late
Classification
Saurischia
Diet
Carnivore
Fossilsite
Chinle Formation, Petrified Forest National Park, Chinde Point, Arizona, US
Length
2 meter
Info
Genus - Typespecies
Chindesaurus bryansmalli was considered to be a Triassic theropod within the Herrerasauridae, however Nesbitt, S.J., Irmis, R.B. and Parker, W.G. (2007) regarded it as probably a basal saurischian dinosaur. According to them currently, the herrerasaurid affinities of Chindesaurus cannot be substantiated because of the great similarity of the preserved parts with Saturnalia and the absence of much of the skeleton. According to our dinosaur criteria and shared character states with Herrerasaurus, Chindesaurus is a valid taxon and is a member of the Dinosauria and possibly a basal saurischian. Unfortunately, until more complete material is recovered for Chindesaurus and an explicit phylogenetic analysis is completed, its exact affinities cannot be determined.