Velocisaurus

• Velocisaurus unicus

Velocisaurus is a genus theropod dinosaurs, which is attributed to the Noasauridae, a group of Ceratosauria. So far, an incomplete hind leg it is only known that originates from the Upper Cretaceous ( Coniacian ) of Argentina. The only way is Velocisaurus unicus.

Description

The Fund is only poorly preserved and consists of the lower part of the right hind leg. As with other Ceratosauria showing a metatarsal arctometatarsale arrangement (the third metatarsal is covered in the upper part of the middle foot of the second and fourth metatarsal bones). The second metatarsal bone is significantly reduced in size - a feature that is also found in the related genera Noasaurus and Masiakasaurus. While no autapomorphies are known - unique qualities enabling the genus from all related genera can delimit. Nevertheless, this is due to the isolated occurrence likely to be an independent genus.

History of discovery and naming

The incomplete hind leg was discovered in 1985 by Oscar de Zulma Gasparini Ferrariis and in the layers of the Bajo de la Carpa - Formation in the Argentine province of Neuquén. In 1991, José Fernando Bonaparte described the fossils as Velocisaurus unicus. The genus name is derived from velox ( "fast" ), as an indication of the slight body of the animal, and sauros ( " lizard" ) from. The species name unicus means " unique", what should point to the unique design of the foot.

The only Fund and holotype is preserved in the copy number MUCPv - 41 in the collection of the Museo de la Universidad Nacional del Comahue.

System

Originally, Bonaparte Velocisaurus to a new family, the Velocisauridae. A study by Fernando Novas and Sebastian Apesteguia from 2003 showed that Velocisaurus was a close relative of Masiakasaurus. Both genera were grouped together as Velocisaurinae. In 2004 Velocisaurus and Masiakasaurus the group Noasauridae have been assigned.