Leaellynasaura

Graphic representation of Leaellynasaura

• Australia

• Leaellynasaura amicagraphica

Leaellynasaura is a genus of small ornithopoder dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous ( Albian early, before about 113-110 million years ago) of Australia. This approximately 60 to 90 centimeters long herbivore was discovered together with fossils of other species in the " dinosaur cave " in the Australian state of Victoria.

Palaeoecology

The Australian continent was in the Lower Cretaceous near the Antarctic Circle, and thus took a position further south than today. Dinosaurs like Leaellynasaura could therefore live much further south than it is today possible reptiles. The same applies to Cryolophosaurus, a theropod dinosaur whose fossils were discovered in the Antarctic today. This proves that dinosaurs could exist under conditions which for a long time as they were considered unsuitable.

Due to the high latitude appeared in the habitat of Leaellynasaura the sun for long time not ( polar night ). Thus Leaellynasaura might have to live in the dark months. This would explain the large eyes and the relatively large visual cortex in the brain, which can be interpreted as adaptations to a life of darkness.

Discovery history

Mr and Mrs Thomas H. Rich and Patricia Vickers - Rich, published in 1989, the first scientific description of the type species L. amicagraphica. As the basis of the description are skull fragments, teeth and isolated bones. The genus, which only belongs to a species named the two paleontologists after her daughter Leaellyn.