Thecospondylus

Taxobox
name = "Thecospondylus"
fossil_range=Early Cretaceous


image_width =
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Sauropsida
superordo = Dinosauria
ordo = Saurischia
subordo =
ordo =
subordo =
infraordo =
familia =
genus = "Thecospondylus"
genus_authority = Seeley, 1882
subdivision_ranks=Species
subdivision=
*"T. horneri" Seeley, 1882 (type) ("nomen dubium")

"Thecospondylus" (THEEK-o-SPON-di-lus Greek "theke" meaning 'sheath or socket' and "spondylos" meaning 'vertebra') is a dubious genus of dinosaur named after the "extremely thin" bone forming the vertebrae, as indicated by a cast of the neural canal of the sacral region (the only known fossil that can be definitely assigned to this genus). The genus was described by Harry Seeley in 1882, with "T. horneri" as type species. A second species, "T. daviesi", was added by Seeley in 1888, but later given its own genus, "Thecocoelurus".

Based on such meagre material, "T. horneri" has been variably classified as ornithischian or saurischian. Whatever this animal was, it lived in Europe during the Early Cretaceous Period. The specimen was found in Hastings, England.

External links

* [http://www.dinosauria.com/dml/names/dinot.htm Dinosauria Translation and Pronunciation Guide]
* [http://www.dinoruss.com/de_4/5a93f98.htm "Thecospondylus" in the Dinosaur Encyclopaedia] at Dino Russ's Lair