Herrerasauridae

Live reconstruction of Herrerasaurus

  • San Juan ( Argentina)
  • Caturrita Formation ( Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil)
  • New Mexico (USA)

The Herrerasauridae are a group of very early lizards Beck dinosaurs ( Saurischia ) and are among the oldest dinosaurs that have been found to date. The taxon contains only three genera Herrerasaurus, Sanjuansaurus and Staurikosaurus who both lived in the South American Carnian (early Late Triassic ). With Chindesaurus there is also a Fund uncertain mapping from the Norian, originating from New Mexico ( USA).

Features

Herrerasaurus was about three to five meters long and was, together with the Rauisuchiern Prestosuchus, Fasolasuchus and Saurosuchus the Spitzenprädator his time. Staurikosaurus reached a length of three meters and also lived carnivore. Both kept moving bipedal.

System

The systematic position of the Herrerasauridae has long been controversial. Earlier it was often assumed that they are outside of Saurischia and the sister taxon of the dinosaurs ( Ornithischia and Saurischia ) are. In contrast, some scientists see them as the most primitive theropods. Today they are mostly provided to the Saurischia, as a sister group of an unnamed taxon from Sauropodomorpha and theropods. The following cladogram makes the probable kinship of Herrerasauridae clear:

Herrerasaurus

Staurikosaurus

Theropods

Prosauropoda

Sauropoda

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