[D] Fukuiraptor kitadaniensis [Su] [sG] [T]
Describer
Azuma & Currie, 2000
Time
Cretaceous Early Albian
Classification
Saurischia Theropoda Tetanurae Carnosauria Allosauroidae
Diet
Carnivore
Fossilsite
Kitadani Formation, Fukui Prefecture, Japan
Length
4.2 meter
Info
Genus - Typespecies - Skull
The immature specimen, which is about 4.2 m long, is well preserved and includes elements of the skull, vertebral column, front limbs, and hind limbs. The hands are relatively large and armed with strongly curved, sharp claws, suggesting that it was an active predator. Phylogenetic analysis indicates it is a basal allosauroid. An isolated astragalus from Australia may represent a closely related species.
The never formally described tooth once nicknamed \\\\\\\"Kitadanisaurus\\\\\\\" in Japanese publications is supposedly shown by this new material to be the allosaurid Fukuiraptor. The large allosaurid nicknamed \\\\\\\"Katsuyamasaurus\\\\\\\" known from an ulna and a caudal vertebra, is likely also referable to Fukuiraptor kitadaniensis.