Deinocheirus

Forelimbs of Deinocheirus

• Mongolia

Deinocheirus is a genus of dinosaur from the group of theropods are known from the so far only two huge front limbs, the shoulder belt and a few other bones.

The front limbs are about 2.4 meters long, only the humerus measures 94 centimeters. The three metacarpal bones are approximately equal in length (21 to 24 inches ), carrying three fingers wide, curved claws, which are pointed forward. Arms show some similarities to the Ornithomimosauria, such as the approximate same length to the metacarpal or reduced Deltopectoralkamm upper arm. In contrast, the radius and ulna are not compressed in contrast to these dinosaurs and the shoulder blade is different. Should he belong to the Ornithomimosauria, he is definitely a primitive side branch of this group Without qualifying other findings, the systematic affiliation of this animal can not be answered.

Even the appearance and lifestyle of Deinocheirus remains unclear. Should he have approximately the proportions of Ornithomimosauria, he would reach a length of 10 to 12 meters, which would make him by far the largest members of this group. The describer suspected, the claws would be suitable for slitting of prey, so be Deinocherius been a carnivore. However, it will also represent the position that the claws were too blunt for attack purposes, they could be used for defense but. There are also suspicions that the claws compared with those of giant sloths. The dinosaurs could have fed by leaves or fruits.

The fossil remains of Deinocheirus were discovered in the Nemegt formation in the Mongolian province Ömnö Gobi aimag and first described in 1970 by paleontologists Halszka Osmólska and Ewa Roniewicz. The name derives from the Greek words deinos ( = "terrible" ) and cheiros ( = 'hand' ) from. Type species and only known species is Deinocheirus mirificus.

The finds are dated to the Late Cretaceous (late Campanian to early Maastrichtian ) in age 76-69 million years. Replicas of its fossil arms are currently on display at the American Museum of Natural History, New York, at the Natural History Museum, London, the Dinosaur Museum in Utah and the Palaeontological Museum, University of Oslo.