- Ceratonykus
-
Ceratonykus oculatus
Temporal range: Late Cretaceous
Scientific classification 
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Superorder: Dinosauria Order: Saurischia Suborder: Theropoda Family: †Alvarezsauridae Subfamily: †Parvicursorinae Genus: †Ceratonykus
Alifanov & Barsbold, 2009Species: †C. oculatus Binomial name Ceratonykus oculatus
Alifanov & Barsbold, 2009Ceratonykus (meaning 'horned claw') is a genus of alvarezsaurid theropod dinosaur that existed in the late Cretaceous period. The discovery of a fragmented skeleton in Mongolia in early 2009 has led scientists to question where alvarezsaurids fit taxonomically into Theropoda.
Description
Ceratonykus was a small, long-legged dinosaur that appears to have been be adapted for running in the desert. They belong to the family Alvarezsauridae, whose members ranged in size from 0.5–2 m (20–80 inches) in length, but may have been significantly larger - 2.5 m (8 ft).
Originally thought to be one of the earliest members of flightless birds, alvarezsaurids have recently been regarded as more basal theropods. Skeletal remains suggest that they had tiny but stout forelimbs and compact birdlike hands. The skeletal structure also suggests that this dinosaur possessed significant breast and arm muscles that were likely adapted for tearing and digging. They had elongate jaws with minute teeth and a tubular snout that suggests they could have been adapted to feed on insects such as termites.
References
External links
Categories:- Alvarezsaurids
- Cretaceous dinosaurs
- Dinosaurs of Asia
- Fossil taxa described in 2009
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