[D] Gigantoraptor erlianensis [sG] [T]
Describer
Xu, Tan, Wang, Zhao & Tan, 2007
Time
Cretaceous Late
Classification
Saurischia Theropoda Tetanurae Coelurosauria Maniraptora Oviraptorosauria
Diet
Carnivore
Fossilsite
Saihangaobi, Sunitezuoqi, Nei Mongol Autonomous Region, Iren Dabasu Formation, China
Length
8 meter [3.5m high at the hip]
Info
Genus - Typespecies
Etymology
The generic name refers to the animal being a gigantic raptor dinosaur; the specific name is derived from the Erlian basin where the holotype was collected.
Holotype
LH V0011, an incomplete skeleton preserving a nearly complete mandible, several partial presacral vertebrae, most caudal vertebrae, nearly complete right scapula, much of the forelimbs, partial ilium, and nearly complete pubes and hind limbs.
An evolutionary trend of decreasing size is present along the line to birds in coelurosaurian theropod evolution, but size increases are seen in many coelurosaurian subgroups, in which large forms are less bird-like. Gigantoraptor erlianensis, gen. et sp. nov., from the Late Cretaceous Iren Dabasu Formation of Nei Mongol, China.
Although it has a body mass of about 1,400 kg, a phylogenetic analysis positions this new taxon within the Oviraptorosauria, a group of small, feathered theropods rarely exceeding 40 kg in body mass. A histological analysis suggests that Gigantoraptor gained this size by a growth rate considerably faster than large North American tyrannosaurs such as Albertosaurus and Gorgosaurus.
Gigantoraptor possesses several salient features previously unknown in any other dinosaur and its hind limb bone scaling and proportions are significantly different from those of other coelurosaurs , thus increasing the morphological diversity among dinosaurs. Most significantly, the gigantic Gigantoraptor shows many bird-like features absent in its smaller oviraptorosaurian relatives, unlike the evolutionary trend seen in many other coelurosaurian subgroups
Xu, Tan, Wang, Zhao & Tan, 2007
Time
Cretaceous Late
Classification
Saurischia Theropoda Tetanurae Coelurosauria Maniraptora Oviraptorosauria
Diet
Carnivore
Fossilsite
Saihangaobi, Sunitezuoqi, Nei Mongol Autonomous Region, Iren Dabasu Formation, China
Length
8 meter [3.5m high at the hip]
Info
Genus - Typespecies
Etymology
The generic name refers to the animal being a gigantic raptor dinosaur; the specific name is derived from the Erlian basin where the holotype was collected.
Holotype
LH V0011, an incomplete skeleton preserving a nearly complete mandible, several partial presacral vertebrae, most caudal vertebrae, nearly complete right scapula, much of the forelimbs, partial ilium, and nearly complete pubes and hind limbs.
An evolutionary trend of decreasing size is present along the line to birds in coelurosaurian theropod evolution, but size increases are seen in many coelurosaurian subgroups, in which large forms are less bird-like. Gigantoraptor erlianensis, gen. et sp. nov., from the Late Cretaceous Iren Dabasu Formation of Nei Mongol, China.
Although it has a body mass of about 1,400 kg, a phylogenetic analysis positions this new taxon within the Oviraptorosauria, a group of small, feathered theropods rarely exceeding 40 kg in body mass. A histological analysis suggests that Gigantoraptor gained this size by a growth rate considerably faster than large North American tyrannosaurs such as Albertosaurus and Gorgosaurus.
Gigantoraptor possesses several salient features previously unknown in any other dinosaur and its hind limb bone scaling and proportions are significantly different from those of other coelurosaurs , thus increasing the morphological diversity among dinosaurs. Most significantly, the gigantic Gigantoraptor shows many bird-like features absent in its smaller oviraptorosaurian relatives, unlike the evolutionary trend seen in many other coelurosaurian subgroups