Pyroraptor

Taxobox
name = "Pyroraptor"
fossil_range = Late Cretaceous

---

image_width = 200px
image_caption = Illustration by Jordan Mallon
regnum = Animalia
phylum=Chordata
classis = Sauropsida
superordo = Dinosauria
ordo = Saurischia
subordo = Theropoda
familia = Dromaeosauridae
genus = "Pyroraptor"
genus_authority = Allain & Taquet, 2000
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision =
*"P. olympius" Allain & Taquet, 2000 (type)

"Pyroraptor" is a genus of dromaeosaurid dinosaur from the late Cretaceous Period of France (70 million years ago). It is known from a single specimen, estimated to have been 2.5 metres (8 feet) in length.

Discoveries

"Pyroraptor" was a dromaeosaurid, a small, bird-like predatory theropod that possessed enlarged curved, slashing claws on the second toe of each foot. Each of these claws were 6.5 centimeters (2.5 in) long. The first and only identified specimen was found in the south of France, in Provence, and is known only from a few bones, named "Pyroraptor olympius" by Allain and Taquet in 2000.Allain, R., and Taquet, P. (2000). "A new genus of Dromaeosauridae (Dinosauria, Theropoda) from the Upper Cretaceous of France." "Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology", 20: 404-407. [June 27, 2000] ] The name means "Olympic fire thief", because its remains were discovered after a forest fire. The type specimen consists of the distinctive foot claws, as well as fossilized teeth, arm and back bones. It lived during the Cretaceous, 70 million years ago.

In popular culture

*"Pyroraptor" was featured in one episode of the television program "Dinosaur Planet", in which an individual "Pyroraptor" named "Pod" is swept onto an island dominated by dwarf members of familiar dinosaur families.

References

External links

* [http://www.pyroraptor-olympius.info/ "Pyroraptor" official site] , in French
* [http://media.dsc.discovery.com/storage/convergence/dinosaurplanet/pod2.swf "Pyroraptor" computer animation] , by Meteor Studios for Discovery Channel
* [http://spotlight.iridas.com/200407/meteor05.html "Pyroraptor" computer animation stills] by Meteor Studios for Discovery Channel
* [http://dino.lm.com/images/display.php?id=2911 "Pyroraptor" illustration] by Brett Booth