Pyroraptor
Diagram of the skeleton. Known skeletal elements are colored.
- Europe (Provence, France)
- Pyroraptor Olympius
Pyroraptor was a genus of small feathered dinosaur from the Upper Cretaceous of southern France. It is counted among the Dromaeosauriden, a group of agile, carnivorous theropods. The only way is Pyroraptor Olympius.
Until the discovery of Balaur, Pyroraptor was the European dromaeosaurid best preserved.
Fund and naming
Pyroraptor is known only by fossil bones less of the instance that was found near the 815 m high Mont Olympe in Provence in the sandstones of the La Boucharde. There were fossil finger bones ( phalanges ), metacarpal bones ( metacarpals ), metatarsal bones ( metatarsals ), caudal vertebra, vertebrae, ulna ( ulna ) and radius (radius ) of the right forearm and teeth recovered.
Known are 17 copies, a holotype ( MNHN BO001 ), the complete retention of the foot bones ( metatarsus II) in the Muséum national d' histoire naturelle is issued and 16 paratypes ( MNHN BO002 -17 and one without number).
According to Turner, et al. Many paratypes but controversial, such as MNHN BO0017 ( vertebrae ), which is very poorly preserved, so it can not be said with certainty whether it was a dromaeosaurid. In addition, many might paratypes to the very same animal are, according to these researchers. In addition, they have found that even a metatarsal III was at the fossils it.
The name Pyroraptor Olympius (Greek pyros - "Fire"; raptor - " Robbers"; Latin Olympius - " Olympus" ) means something like " fire thief of Olympus ". The name of the genus, has the fact that the fossils were found after a forest fire in 1989. The Style epithet alludes to the Mont Olympe, at the foot of the fossil was found.
Features
Common characteristics for this taxon include indentations on the Elle, a bent at the bottom ( about 140 ° to Ostrom's method) Serrated and at the end of the metatarsal bone, and almost equal Ellen and metatarsal II length. In addition, the sawn mainly at the rear teeth mentioned.
In a recent analysis (2012 ), the former feature in the new description has not been cited. Instead Pyroraptor described as medium sized Dromaeosauridae with the last two -mentioned features.
Many features could not be described, because although the material found has similarities with other dromaeosaurs, but the fragmentary procurement complicates comparisons.
Size calculations are also missing.
Paläohabitat
Along with the remains of Pyroraptor found themselves yet another dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous period. Were discovered fossils of Iguanodon - relatives Rhabdodon priscus, a sauropod Titanosauriers, a Cerato Piers, a ankylosauriden Nodosauriers and a theropod Abelisauroiden and the eggshells of Dinosaurierparataxons Megaloolithus aureliensis. In addition, the shells of four species of turtles were ( Dortoka sp., Solemys sp., Polysternon sp, and a new type alligator turtle ) and various alligators found in the rock.
System
Pyroraptor was classified by both the Erstbeschreibern, as well as later authors as Dromaeosauridae. The exact location is unknown.
It is discussed whether this to be the same genus in Pyroraptor and Variraptor, which was also found in southern France ( near Marseille ), since the discovery of Pyroraptor Variraptor is regarded as a noun dubium. Neure fossil finds of Variraptor reaffirm the view that both genera are valid. But this is uncertain because Variraptor was in the 2012 review by Turner et al. not listed as a valid genus.
Popularity
Pyroraptor until now had made an appearance in popular culture. This was in the third episode of the series " The last years of the dinosaurs ," where he has lived in southern Europe. In addition, a miniature version was shown in Romania. In the film Pyroraptor had the niche of a smaller predator in its ecosystem. The main character named Pod, which was derived from Pyroraptor Olympius dromaeus. In addition Pyroraptor was presented with feathers.