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Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Deltadromeus



Deltadromeus was the fast-running predator that lived during the Late Cretaceous in Africa. It was 8 meters long and weighed 3 tons. It looked like a very large raptor because it had many dromeosaurids' characterisitcs. For example it had large claws, strong legs and jaws full of sharp teeth.

Only one partial of skeleton was found and the appearance of this dinosaur is only mistery. The skull wasn't found but scientists ucovered its teeth. However, scientists know how big it was, how it preyed when it was alive. Deltadromeus is known from very fragmented partial of skeleton that was found in 1995 by Paul Sereno. Deltadromeus skeletons have been found in the same formations as those of the giant theropods Carcharodontosaurus, Spinosaurus, and Bahariasaurus, which may be synonymous with Deltadromeus.

Deltadromeus was originally described as a large coelurosaur, but more recent studies suggest it was actually a ceratosaur, though exactly what type of ceratosaur remains unknown. One 2003 study suggested it was a member of the Noasauridae, though others have found it to be more primitive, possibly related to the primitive ceratosaurs Elaphrosaurus and Limusaurus.

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