Graciliraptor

Taxobox|
name = "Graciliraptor"
fossil_range = Early Cretaceous
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Sauropsida
superordo = Dinosauria
ordo = Saurischia
subordo = Theropoda
familia = Dromaeosauridae
genus = "Graciliraptor"
genus_authority = Xu & Wang, 2004
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision =
* "G. lujiatunensis" Xu & Wang, 2004 (type)

"Graciliraptor" is the name given to a genus of dinosaur from the early Cretaceous Period. It was a microraptorian dromaeosaurid first described in 2004. The fossils were found in Beipiao, Liaoning Province, China. These fossils comprised part of the maxilla, nearly complete fore and hind legs, a partial vertebrae, and a few teeth.Xu, X. and Wang, X.-L. (2004). "A New Dromaeosaur (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation of Western Liaoning." "Vertebrata PalAsiatica", 42(2): 11-119.]

"Graciliraptor" fossils have been found in the lowest portions of the Yixian Formation, below the rocks where similar early dromaeosaurids (such as "Sinornithosaurus" and "Microraptor") were found. It is the earliest named dromaeosaurid, and the earliest known from good fossil remains (dromaeosaurid fossils date back all the way to the Middle Jurassic, but consist mostly of teeth).

As an early dromaeosaurid, "Graciliraptor" provided information on the early evolution and diversification of the group. It shares several characteristics in common with both early troodontids and avialan birds, supporting a close relationship between avialans, troodontids, and dromaeosaurids.

The type species, "Graciliraptor lujiatunensis", was described by Xu and Wang. It is believed to have been closely related to "Microraptor", a similar dromaeosaurid from the slightly younger Jiufotang Formation.

References

External links

* [http://www.users.qwest.net/~jstweet1/maniraptora.htm page on maniraptorans]
* [http://www.sinofossa.org/sinosaur/graciliraptor.htm page on "Graciliraptor", from Sinofossa Institute]