Linheraptor is a small dromaeosaurid dinosaur (often called 'raptors') from Inner Mongolia, it was found in 2008 and described in 2010. The holotype and only known specimen consists of an almost complete and exquisitely preserved skeleton, which includes a skull. The specimen measures 1.8 m in length, and has been identified as a probable adult. Linheraptor lived during the Late Cretaceous (Campanian) and is closely related to both Tsaagan and Velociraptor.
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Name
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Linheraptor exquisitus
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Authority
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Xu, Choiniere, Pittman, Tan, Xiao, Li, Tan, Clark, Norell, Hone and Sullivan, 2010
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Meaning of the generic name
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In reference to the animal’s status as a predatory dinosaur (‘raptor’) from Linhe, NeiMongol, China (area of origin)
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Meaning of the specific name
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The specific name refers to the exceptional preservation of the holotype specimen
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Size
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Length: 1.8 m
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Remains
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Holotype (IVPP V 16923): well preserved nearly complete skeleton
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Age and Distribution
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Horizon: Bayan Mandahu, “The Gate” locality, Wulansuhai Formation, Late Cretaceous (Campanian)
Type Locality: Inner Mongolia, China.
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Classification
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Dinosauria Theropoda Coelurosauria Maniraptora Paraves Deinonychosauria Dromaeosauridae Velociraptorinae
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Further Reading
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Xu, X., Choinere, J., Pittman, M., Tan, Q., Xiao, D., Li, Z., Tan, L., Clark, J., Norell, M., Hone, D.W.E. and Sullivan, C. 2010. A new dromaeosaurid (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Upper Cretaceous Wulansuhai Formation of Inner Mongolia, China. Zootaxa (2403): 1–9.
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Synonyms |
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 Holotype (IVPP V 16923) of Linheraptor exquisitus. From Xu et al., 2010. Scale bar is 20 cm.
Skull of Linheraptor in right lateral view of the skull and mandible of the Linheraptor exquisitus holotype (IVPP V 16923). From Xu et al., 2010.
Image reconstruction of Linheraptor exquisitus (© N. Tamura) |
