Luanchuanraptor

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Luanchuanraptor
Temporal range: Late Cretaceous 72–66  Ma
Luanchuanraptor holotype.jpg
Elements from the holotype fossil 41HIII-0100 displayed at the Giga Dinosaur Exhibition 2017
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Dinosauria
Clade: Saurischia
Clade: Theropoda
Family: Dromaeosauridae
Clade: Eudromaeosauria
Subfamily: Velociraptorinae
Genus: Luanchuanraptor
Lü et al. 2007
Type species
Luanchuanraptor henanensis
Lü et al. 2007

Luanchuanraptor (meaning "Luanchuan thief") is a genus of dromaeosaurid theropod dinosaurs from the Late Cretaceous of China. The genus is based on a partial skeleton from the Qiupa Formation in Luanchuan, Henan. They were medium-sized dromaeosaurids, the first Asian dromaeosaurid taxa described from outside the Gobi Desert or northeastern China.

Contents

Discovery and naming

Reconstructed skeleton at the Giga Dinosaur Exhibition 2017, Chiba Luanchuanraptor skeleton mount.jpg
Reconstructed skeleton at the Giga Dinosaur Exhibition 2017, Chiba

Luanchuanraptor is known from a partial skeleton of an immature individual found at the Qiupa Formation of the Henan Province, Central China. The fossils were cataloged as 41HIII-0100 and described by Lü and colleagues in 2007. The remains represent the holotype for the genus and species Luanchuanraptor henanensis and they are housed at the Henan Geological Museum. It consists of the left frontal, 4 teeth (9 were identified but 5 were excluded), 4 cervical vertebrae, 6 dorsal vertebrae, 17 caudal vertebrae, 4 ribs, 4 chevrons, a right humerus, left scapulocoracoid, the first phalanx from right manus, an isolated manual ungual, right ilium, left pubis, ischium, the sacrum and the shaft of the left femur. These elements come from a moderately sized dromaeosaurid. Its specific name, Luanchuanraptor, is a reference to the Luanchuan County in which the remains were found, and the Latin raptor, meaning thief or seizer. The specific name, henanensis, is a reference to the Henan Province. [1]

Description

Life restoration Luanchuanraptor.jpg
Life restoration

Luanchuanraptor were moderate-sized dromaeosaurs, estimated at 1.1 to 1.8 m (3.6 to 5.9 ft) long with weights from 2.2 to 2.5 kg (4.9 to 5.5 lb). [2] [3] However, the individual 41HIII-0100 preserves an unfused frontal, meaning that it was not a fully-grown animal at the time of death and therefore, they reached slightly larger sizes. [1]

They can be recognised from other dromaeosaur taxa in having a very stiff tail tip as indicated by the short neural spines of the caudal vertebrae, connected anterior chevrons, some posterior caudals with depressions near the neural spine, stocky proximal and posterior end of the chevrons, and a large opening on the coracoid. [1]

Classification

Lü and colleagues assigned Luanchuanraptor to the Dromaeosauridae based on the recurved, serrated and laterally flattened teeth, the continuous parapophyses on dorsal vertebrae, and the elongate caudal prezygapophyses. [1] The genus has been considered to pertain to the Averaptora by Agnolín and Novas, [4] but this suggestion is not widely followed. [5] [6] The recently performed phylogenetic analysis for the Dromaeosauridae by Hartman et al. 2019 recovers Luanchuanraptor as a velociraptorine being the sister taxon of Adasaurus . Below is the obtained result for the Eudromaeosauria: [6]

Eudromaeosauria

Paleoenvironment

The remains of Luanchuanraptor were found in the Late Cretaceous Qiupa Formation of China. [1] It is considered to be Late Maastrichtian in age about 72 million to 66 million years ago based on stratigraphic correlations. Most of the environments present consisted on shallow lakes with braided, delta rivers. [7] [8] The fauna present on the formation seems to be different from other Asiatic formations, with the well reported occurrences of mammals and lizards like Yubaatar or Funiusaurus . Dinosaurian fauna was present as well, here Luanchuanraptor shared their habitat with other theropods such as Qiupalong , Qiupanykus or Yulong . [9] [10] [11] [8] Large tyrannosaurids have been reported from the formation under the species "Tyrannosaurus" luanchuanensis. [12]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dromaeosauridae</span> Family of theropod dinosaurs

Dromaeosauridae is a family of feathered coelurosaurian theropod dinosaurs. They were generally small to medium-sized feathered carnivores that flourished in the Cretaceous Period. The name Dromaeosauridae means 'running lizards', from Greek δρομαῖος (dromaîos), meaning 'running at full speed', 'swift', and σαῦρος (saûros), meaning 'lizard'. In informal usage, they are often called raptors, a term popularized by the film Jurassic Park; several genera include the term "raptor" directly in their name, and popular culture has come to emphasize their bird-like appearance and speculated bird-like behavior.

<i>Beipiaosaurus</i> Extinct genus of dinosaurs

Beipiaosaurus is a genus of therizinosauroid theropod dinosaurs that lived in China during the Early Cretaceous in the Yixian Formation. The first remains were found in 1996 and formally described in 1999. Before the discovery of Yutyrannus, Beipiaosaurus were among the heaviest dinosaurs known from direct evidence to be feathered. Beipiaosaurus is known from three reported specimens. Numerous impressions of feather structures were preserved that allowed researchers to determine the feathering color which turned out to be brownish.

<i>Anserimimus</i> Extinct genus of dinosaurs

Anserimimus is a genus of ornithomimid theropod dinosaur, from the Late Cretaceous Period of what is now Mongolia. It was a lanky, fast-running animal, possibly an omnivore. From what fossils are known, it probably closely resembled other ornithomimids, except for its more powerful forelimbs.

<i>Adasaurus</i> Extinct genus of dinosaurs

Adasaurus is a genus of dromaeosaurid dinosaur that lived in Asia during the Late Cretaceous period about 70 million years ago. The genus is known from two partial specimens found in the Nemegt Formation of Mongolia that were partially described in 1983 by the paleontologist Rinchen Barsbold.

<i>Graciliraptor</i> Extinct genus of dinosaurs

Graciliraptor is a genus of theropod dinosaur from the early Cretaceous Period. It is a microraptorine dromaeosaurid.

<i>Zhongyuansaurus</i> Extinct genus of dinosaurs


Zhongyuansaurus is a monospecific genus of ankylosaurid dinosaur from Henan that lived during the Early Cretaceous in what is now the Haoling Formation. Zhongyuansaurus is possibly a junior synonym of Gobisaurus, a basal ankylosaurid from the Ulansuhai Formation of Inner Mongolia.

<i>Baotianmansaurus</i> Extinct genus of dinosaurs

Baotianmansaurus is a genus of titanosaur sauropod dinosaur. Its fossils have been found in Upper Cretaceous rocks in Henan, China, within the Gaogou Formation. The type species is B. henanensis, described in 2009. The holotype is 41H III-0200. Remains of the fossils were vertebrae, ribs and scapula fragments. It was probably a close relative of Opisthocoelicaudia and Dongyangosaurus in Saltasauridae.

<i>Tianyuraptor</i> Extinct genus of dinosaurs

Tianyuraptor is a genus of short-armed dromaeosaurid dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous, about 122 million years ago. Its remains have been found in western Liaoning, China. It was similar to other dromaeosaurids found in Liaoning, with the exception of being somewhat more primitive. The type specimen, formally named in 2009, shows features not seen in previously known Northern Hemisphere (Laurasian) dromaeosaurids, but present in Southern Hemisphere (Gondwanan) species and early birds. Because of this, the scientists who first studied Tianyuraptor described it as a "transitional species", bridging the gap between northern and southern types of dromaeosaurid. Tianyuraptor also differs from previously known dromaeosaurids in that it possesses a relatively small furcula ("wishbone"), and unusually short forelimbs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gaogou Formation</span> Geological formation in China

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<i>Xianshanosaurus</i> Extinct genus of dinosaurs

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Majiacun Formation</span> Late Cretaceous formation in China

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<i>Qiupalong</i> Extinct genus of reptiles

Qiupalong is an extinct genus of ornithomimosaurian theropod that was discovered in the Late Cretaceous Qiupa Formation of Henan, China. The genus contains a single species, Q. henanensis, the specific epithet for which was named for the province of Henan. Uniquely, Qiupalong is one of the few Late Cretaceous non-avian dinosaurs known from both Asia and Laramidia. Specimens from Russia and Alberta have been referred to the genus without being assigned to the type species.

<i>Yulong mini</i> Extinct species of dinosaur

Yulong is an extinct genus of derived oviraptorid theropod dinosaur known from the Late Cretaceous Qiupa Formation of Henan Province, central China. It contains a single species, Yulong mini. It is known from many juvenile specimens that represent some of the smallest known oviraptorids and also a single subadult specimen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Qiupa Formation</span>

The Qiupa Formation is a Late Cretaceous Maastrichtian geologic formation in Henan Province, central China. It is rich in dinosaur eggs and bones, such as those of carnivorous and herbivorous dinosaurs. The Qiupa Formation is considered to be Late Maastrichtian in age, about 72 million and 66 million years ago.

<i>Nankangia</i> Extinct genus of dinosaurs

Nankangia is an extinct genus of caenagnathoid oviraptorosaurian dinosaur known from the Upper Cretaceous Nanxiong Formation of Nankang County, Ganzhou City of Jiangxi Province, southeastern China. It contains a single species, Nankangia jiangxiensis. N. jiangxiensis coexisted with at least four other caenagnathoids, including but not limited to Corythoraptor, Banji, Ganzhousaurus and Jiangxisaurus. The relatively short dentary and non-downturned mandibular symphysis of Nankangia suggest that it may have been more herbivorous than carnivorous. Its diet consisted of leaves and seeds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of dromaeosaurid research</span>

This timeline of dromaeosaurid research is a chronological listing of events in the history of paleontology focused on the dromaeosaurids, a group of sickle-clawed, bird-like theropod dinosaurs including animals like Velociraptor. Since the Native Americans of Montana used the sediments of the Cloverly Formation to produce pigments, they may have encountered remains of the dromaeosaurid Deinonychus hundreds of years before these fossils came to the attention of formally trained scientists.

<i>Daliansaurus</i> Extinct genus of dinosaurs

Daliansaurus is a genus of small troodontid theropod dinosaur, measuring approximately 1 metre long, from the Early Cretaceous of China. It contains a single species, D. liaoningensis, named in 2017 by Shen and colleagues from a nearly complete skeleton preserved in three dimensions. Daliansaurus is unusual in possessing an enlarged claw on the fourth digit of the foot, in addition to the "sickle claw" found on the second digit of the feet of most paravians. It also has long metatarsal bones, and apparently possesses bird-like uncinate processes. In the Lujiatun Beds of the Yixian Formation, a volcanically-influenced region with a cold climate, Daliansaurus lived alongside its closest relatives - Sinovenator, Sinusonasus, and Mei, with which it forms the group Sinovenatorinae.

Qiupanykus is a genus of alvarezsaurid coelurosaur theropod from the Late Cretaceous Qiupa Formation of southern China.

References

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  2. Holtz, T. R.; Rey, L. V. (2007). Dinosaurs: The Most Complete, Up-to-Date Encyclopedia for Dinosaur Lovers of All Ages. Random House. ISBN   9780375824197. Genus List for Holtz 2012 Weight Information
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  4. Agnolín, F. L.; Novas, F. E. (2013). "Uncertain Averaptoran Theropods". Avian Ancestors. Netherlands: Springer, Dordrecht. p. 37. doi:10.1007/978-94-007-5637-3_4. ISBN   9789400756373.
  5. Jasinski, S. E. (2015). "A new dromaeosaurid (Theropoda: Dromaeosauridae) from the Late Cretaceous of New Mexico". Fossil Record 4. New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin. 67: 79–88.
  6. 1 2 Hartman, S.; Mortimer, M.; Wahl, W. R.; Lomax, D. R.; Lippincott, J.; Lovelace, D. M. (2019). "A new paravian dinosaur from the Late Jurassic of North America supports a late acquisition of avian flight". PeerJ. 7: e7247. doi: 10.7717/peerj.7247 . PMC   6626525 . PMID   31333906.
  7. Jiang, X.-J.; Liu, Y.-Q.; Ji, S.-A.; Zhang, X.-L.; Xu, L.; Jia, S.-H.; Lü, J.-C.; Yuan, C.-X.; Li, M. (2011). "Dinosaur-bearing strata and K/T boundary in the Luanchuan-Tantou Basin of western Henan Province, China". Science China Earth Sciences. 54 (1149). doi:10.1007/s11430-011-4186-1.
  8. 1 2 Lü, J. C.; Xu, L.; Chang, H. L.; Jia, S. H.; Zhang, J. M.; Gao, D. S.; Zhang, Y. Y.; Zhang, C. J.; Ding, F. (2018). "A new alvarezsaurid dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous Qiupa Formation of Luanchuan, Henan Province, central China". China Geology. 1: 28–35. doi: 10.31035/cg2018005 .
  9. Xu, L.; Kobayashi, Y.; Lü, J.-C.; Lee, Y. N.; Liu, Y.; Tanaka, K.; Zhang, X.; Jia, S.; Zhang, J. (2011). "A new ornithomimid dinosaur with North American affinities from the Late Cretaceous Qiupa Formation in Henan Province of China". Cretaceous Research. 32 (2): 213–222. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2010.12.004.
  10. Lü, J.-C.; Currie, P. J.; Xu, L.; Zhang, X.; Pu, H.; Jia, S. (2013). "Chicken-sized oviraptorid dinosaurs from central China and their ontogenetic implications". Naturwissenschaften. 100 (2): 165–175. Bibcode:2013NW....100..165L. doi:10.1007/s00114-012-1007-0. PMID   23314810.
  11. Xu, L.; Lü, J.-C.; Jia, S.; Zhang, J.; Pu, H.; Zhang, X. (2014). "A New Lizard (Lepidosauria: Squamata) from the Upper Cretaceous of Henan, China". Acta Geologica Sinica. 88 (4): 1041–1050. doi:10.1111/1755-6724.12271.
  12. Dong, Z. (1979). "Cretaceous dinosaur fossils in southern China" [Cretaceous dinosaurs of the Huanan (south China)]. In Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology; Nanjing Institute of Paleontology (eds.). Mesozoic and Cenozoic Redbeds in Southern China (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press. pp. 342–350. Translated paper