Condorraptor

  • Argentina ( Chubut ), Cañadón Asphalt Formation
  • Condorraptor currumili Rauhut, 2005

Condorraptor currumili was a medium-sized theropod from the Middle Jurassic of Argentina, which was described by Oliver Rauhut in 2005 and of which several individuals have survived. However, it is unclear whether they all belong to the same taxon. Parts of the Postkraniums and teeth are preserved.

Condorraptor is one of the best-known theropod dinosaurs of the Middle Jurassic in the Southern Hemisphere, although the Postkranium is incomplete.

Description

Condorraptor was discovered in the Cañadón Asfalto Formation, which lies in the Argentine province of Chubut. The name means " hunter from Condor " and refers to the fact that the locality is 2.3 km west of Cerro Condor. The finds are approximately 166-163 million years old and come from the Callovian ( Middle Jurassic ).

The holotype ( MPEF - PV 1672) includes a left shin (tibia ) and possibly a toe bone. 31 paratypes are known with the catalog numbers, MPEF - PV 1673-1697 or MPEF - PV 1700-1705. This material includes, among other things, cervical vertebra, vertebrae, ribs, femur, fibula, and parts of the basin.

Due to the numerous material that is assigned to many individuals, Condorraptor is regarded as one of the most complete theropod Gondwana in the Middle Jurassic. However, it could be in these specimens by only one. Characteristic features are the position of the lateral cavities and depressions in the shin, and the lack of a rear notch between femur and tibia. This taxon is significant because it supports Oliver Rauhuts presumption of radiation of the theropod in the Jurassic period.

System

Oliver Rauhut Condorraptor has been classified both in the original description and later in 2007 as a basal member of the group Theropoda. Other authors see Condorraptor as representatives of Spinosauroidea, and close relatives of Piatnitzkysaurus.

In 2012 Condorraptor of Carrano and colleagues was arranged together with Marshosaurus and Piatnitzkysaurus in the Piatnitzkysauridae family.

Mya (unit) Fossil Chubut Province Tetanurae Species Cervical vertebrae Adaptive Radiation Digital Object Identifier
199708
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