Citipati

Skeleton of Citipati sp. (IGM 100/42 ) in experimentarium in Copenhagen

• Mongolia ( Djadochta Formation)

• Citipati osmolskae
• (? ) C. sp

Citipati is a genus theropod dinosaur from the group of Oviraptorosauria, from the Upper Cretaceous of Mongolia. It was a great Oviraptoriden with an eye-catching skull crest.

This genus was created using the type ( type species ) Citipati osmolskae in 2001 first described. Maybe there is another type which is not yet named, and as Citipati sp. is performed.

As related genera showed Citipati a short, deep skull with toothless, formed into a beak pines. Presumably it was a plant or omnivores. Several well-preserved skeletons make Citipati one of the best known Oviraptoriden.

Discoveries and naming

Citipati comes from layers of Djadochta formation in the Mongolian Gobi Aimag Ömnö that on the middle Campanian ( about 80 million years ago to 76) can be dated. The Djadochta lineup includes one of the richest known theropod faunas of the entire Mesozoic, the Oviraptoriden among the most common findings.

The holotype material (catalog number IGM 100/978 ) is an incomplete skeleton with an unusually well-preserved skull, which was discovered by an expedition of the American Museum of Natural History and the Mongolian Academy of Sciences in Ukhaa Tolgod. The find was first described in 2001 as Citipati, together with the Oviraptoriden Khaan. Back in 1993, is a nest was discovered, the eggs and a fossil embryo contained (catalog number IGM 100/971 ), the 2001 Citipati could be assigned. In 1993, a partial skeleton was discovered (catalog number IGM 100/979 ), which was found in a breeding position above a nest. This in the popular press known as " Big Mama " has become fossil was initially as a specimen of Oviraptor until it. Clark et al in 2001 Citipati was attributed. Another brooding specimen (catalog number IGM 100/1004 ) was discovered in 1995 and is known as "Big Auntie ".

Another complete skeleton with skull (catalog number IGM 100/42 ) was (also spelled Dzamin Khong ) discovered in the Djadochta formation of Zamyn Khondt and is often called Citipati sp. designated or " Zamyn - Khondt - Oviraptoride ". In this still- unnamed fund it could be a more Citipati - species or a new genus. Originally bars Bold wrote the Fund in 1981 to Oviraptor. However, since this skeleton was much more complete than the type material of Oviraptor, it formed the basis for scientific studies and popular representations of Oviraptor. Later studies showed differences between Oviraptor and the " Zamyn - Khondt - Oviraptoriden ", eg in the length of the skull and the upper and lower jaw. Similarities of the premaxillary bone ( premaxilla ) and the nose region suggest that this animal with Citipati as was closer related to Oviraptor.

The name is derived from the Sanskrit Citipati words citi - " pyre " and pati - "Lord" from. In the Tibetan Buddhist folklore Citipati were two monks who, sunk in deep meditative trance, were beheaded by a thief. The Citipati are often depicted as dancing, surrounded by flames Skeletons - hence the name for the Oviraptoriden skeletons well preserved was used. The Artepitheth osmolskae honors the Polish paleontologist Halszka Osmólska (1930-2008), who has worked intensively with Oviraptoriden and other Mongolian theropods.

Features

Citipati was with a length of up to 3 meters, a large Oviraptorosaurier with an eye-catching skull crest. He differed from all other known Oviraptoriden in a series of skull features; so the nostrils for example, were large and teardrop-shaped. From Oviraptor itself Citipati differed mainly by the shorter skull.

Nests, eggs and embryos

In 1995 was first reported by a Fund, which shows a Oviraptoriden brooding over a nest. This became known by the nickname " Big Mama " fossil was described in 1999 and 2001 of the genus Citipati attributed. Another brooding copy is known as "Big Auntie ". These specimens were when they were discovered on nest hills, where the limbs were spread out and covered each side of the nest. This breed attitude is otherwise known only in modern birds, which is seen as further evidence of the relationship of birds and theropods. Also, the attitude towards breeding on feathery arms.

Although fossil dinosaur eggs are rare, Oviraptoriden eggs and especially Citipati eggs are relatively well known. In addition to the skeletons, which were found in association with nests, dozens of isolated Oviraptoriden nests were discovered in the Gobi Desert. The eggs are attributed to the Ootaxon Elongatoolithidae; is extended ovals that the eggs of extant ratites are similar in pattern and shell structure. A complete nest probably includes about 22 eggs, which were arranged in up to three layers in concentric circles. With a size of 18 centimeters are Citipati eggs, the largest egg that will definitely Oviraptoriden can be assigned; Eggs, which are associated with Oviraptor are only 14 inches long.

Ironically, it was precisely the combination of eggs, the Oviraptoriden owe their name, which means something like " Eierdiebe " means: The first Oviraptoriden skeleton that was discovered, was seated on a Nisthügel with eggs skeleton of an Oviraptor. Initially, the eggs were assigned to the ceratopsian Protoceratops, and it was assumed that Oviraptor ate the eggs of Protoceratops. It was not until 1993, when a Citipati embryo was found inside an egg, the error could be corrected.. Norell et al who identified the embryo as a Oviraptoriden, wrote him in 2001 to the genus Citipati - based on the vertical alignment of the premaxillary bone ( premaxilla ), a feature that is known only from Citipati. The egg was containing the embryo with 12 centimeters smaller than most other known Citipati eggs - an accurate size estimate is difficult, however, because it is partially eroded and broken into three parts. Otherwise the egg with the embryo in the shell structure was identical to the other Oviraptoriden eggs. It belonged to an isolated nest found, which had as other Oviraptoriden - nests circularly arranged eggs. Two indeterminate theropod skulls were found in association with the nest.