Euronychodon

Taxobox
name = "Euronychodon"
fossil_range = Late Cretaceous
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Sauropsida
superordo = Dinosauria
ordo = Saurischia
subordo = Theropoda
infraordo = Coelurosauria
familia = Troodontidae
genus = "Euronychodon"
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision =
*"E. portucalensis" Antunes & Sigogneau-Russell, 1991 (type)
*"E. asiaticus" Nessov, 1995

"Euronychodon" ("European claw tooth") is the name given to a genus of coelurosaur dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous, described by Miguel Telles Antunes and Denise Sigogneau-Russell in 1991. It is similar to another coelurosaur, "Paronychodon".

Species of "Euronychodon"

Two probable species of Euronychodon have been found to date.

*"E. portucalensis" (named for Portugal): the remains consist of three teeth, diagnostic enough for it to be considered a distinct genus and species. They were found at the locality of Taveiro, dated as Maastrichtian. As the type species of Euronychodon, it was described in 1991 by Antunes and Sigogneau-Russell.

*"E. asiaticus" (named for Asia): consists of one sole tooth, found in Uzbekistan, and described by Nessov in 1995. It is usually considered a nomen dubium. It is much earlier than "E. portucalensis", which means it could belong to a different animal.

Systematics

Being a tooth-taxon, the true affinities of Euronychodon are hard to determine. Originally described as a dromaeosaurid, it was later considered to be a member of Troodontidae, though it could also be another kind of coelurosaurian theropod.

Palaeobiology

The remains indicate a small animal, estimated at around 2 meters (6.6 feet).

The teeth indicate a carnivorous or insectivorous diet.

References

* Antunes, M.T. & Mateus, O. (2003). Dinosaurs of Portugal. "C. R. Palevol" 2: 77-95.

Websites

* [http://www.dinoruss.com/de_4/5a6b288.htm "Euronychodon" in The Dinosaur Encyclopaedia] at Dino Russ's Lair
* [http://www.dinodata.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6469&Itemid=67 "Euronychodon asiaticus"] at DinoData
* [http://www.dinodata.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6468&Itemid=67 "Euronychodon portucalensis"] at DinoData
* [http://www.users.qwest.net/~jstweet1/coelurosauria.htm Coelurosauria page at Thescelosaurus!]