Monday 12 January 2015

Kryptops palaios

Kryptops palaios is a basal abelisaurid from the Early Cretaceous of Niger. Described by Sereno and Brusatte in 2008, it is known by fragmentary remains that hint to a theropod with short and broad snout and tall vertebral spines. Its length is estimated to be 6-7 m. Contemporary dinosaurs include the fish eating theropod Suchomimus and the unusual ornithopod Ouranosaurus.

Name
Kryptops palaios
Authority
Sereno & Brusatte, 2008
Meaning of generic name
From Greek krypto, covered; ops, face.
Meaning of specific name
From Greek palaios, old
Size
Length: 6-7 m
Remains
Holotype (MNN GAD1): partial skeleton including a left maxilla, several partial vertebrae and ribs, and an articulated pelvic girdle and sacrum
Age and Distribution
Horizon: Elrhaz Formation. Lower Cretaceous (Aptian-Albian)

Locality: “Gadoufaoua” on the western edge of the Ténéré Desert, Niger.
Classification
Dinosauria Saurischia Theropoda Ceratosauria Abelisauroidea Abelisauridae
Further Reading
P. C. Sereno and S. L. Brusatte. 2008. Basal abelisaurid and carcharodontosaurid theropods from the Lower Cretaceous Elrhaz Formation of Niger. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 53(1):15-46.

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