- Pyroraptor
Taxobox
name = "Pyroraptor"
fossil_range =Late Cretaceous
image_width = 200px
image_caption = Illustration by Jordan Mallon
regnum =Animal ia
phylum=Chordata
classis = Sauropsida
superordo =Dinosaur ia
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 dromaeosauriddinosaur from the lateCretaceous Period ofFrance (70 million years ago). It is known from a single specimen, estimated to have been 2.5metres (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 , inProvence , 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 aforest fire . Thetype 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 forDiscovery 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
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