Compsognathidae

Some Compsognathiden in (reconstruction ) Size comparison

  • Eurasia
  • South America

The Compsognathidae are a taxon ( a systematic group) of the lizards Beck dinosaurs ( Saurischia ) from the group of theropods. Known for a long time just by Compsognathus, today there are several genera, including feathered dinosaurs described.

General

The Compsognathidae were very small theropods, their length was often less than one meter. In general, the body was slim and the skull rather small. The arms and hands were relatively large, characteristic was the extended first finger. For more representatives sign of primitive feathers were found, while it was often to hair-like, simple structures. It is also conceivable that some species were only partially covered with feathers.

The Compsognathidae lived predatory. Indications for this are the remains of a lizard that were found in the abdominal cavity of Compsognathus. Maybe they ate also mammals, insects and other small animals.

This group has so far been recognized in Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous ( about 157 to 100 million years ago) fossil. Finds are known from Europe, China and South America.

System

The systematic position of the Compsognathidae is not entirely clear, Phylogenetic analyzes see them as representative of the primal Coelurosauria; sometimes they are even considered basalste representatives and sister group of all other Coelurosauria.

The following genera are known:

Albian Mya (unit) Tetanurae Phylogenetics
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