Caletodraco
Carnivore·Late Cretaceous·Pays de Caux, France·Quadrupedal
Caletodraco is a genus of abelisaurid dinosaur discovered in the Late Cretaceous Chalk of Pays de Caux, France. It is the first definitive furileusaurian dinosaur named from outside of South America, suggesting a more complex biogeographical history for European abelisaurs than previously understood.
Key Facts
- ›Caletodraco is an abelisaurid dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous period.
- ›It was discovered in Normandy, France.
- ›The genus name honors the Celtic tribe Caleti and the Latin word for dragon.
- ›The species name honors Nicolas Cottard, the discoverer of the holotype specimen.
- ›It is the first furileusaurian abelisaurid named from outside South America.
- ›Its size is estimated to be similar to Skorpiovenator, around 6 meters in length.
- Similar in general size to Skorpiovenator.
- Ilia measure around 70 cm.
- First caudal vertebral centra measure about 10 cm.
- Distinguished by the shape of the transverse process on its caudal vertebra.
Skorpiovenator, Genusaurus
Europe
About Caletodraco
Caletodraco is a genus of abelisaurid dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous period, specifically the Cenomanian stage. The type species, Caletodraco cottardi, represents a significant find as it is the first definitive furileusaurian abelisaurid dinosaur to be named from outside of South America. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the biogeographical distribution of abelisaurs in Europe, suggesting a more complex evolutionary history.
Discovery and Naming
The holotype specimen of Caletodraco was discovered by Nicolas Cottard through expeditions in 2021 and 2023. The fossil material includes a sacrum, incomplete ilia, the first caudal vertebra, and other poorly preserved bone fragments. A tooth found at the same site may also belong to this taxon. The genus name, Caletodraco, is a combination of 'Caleti,' the name of a Celtic tribe that inhabited the region of Normandy, France, where the fossils were found, and the Latin word 'draco,' meaning 'dragon.' The specific epithet, 'cottardi,' honors Nicolas Cottard for his discovery and donation of the specimen to the museum.
Description and Classification
Caletodraco is classified within the abelisaurid subclade Furileusauria. Its holotype specimen is comparable in size to the corresponding bones of Skorpiovenator. The ilia are approximately 70 centimeters long, and the first caudal vertebral centra are about 10 centimeters in length. Based on this, Caletodraco is estimated to have been similar in size to Skorpiovenator, which is known from a more complete skeleton and estimated to be around 6 meters (20 feet) in length. A distinctive feature of Caletodraco, serving as an autapomorphy, is the unique shape of the transverse process on its caudal vertebra, which distinguishes it from other known abelisaurids. This classification places Caletodraco among the older known furileusaurians, potentially alongside Genusaurus from the Early Cretaceous of France.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Caletodraco?
Caletodraco is a genus of abelisaurid dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. It is known from fossils found in France.
Where was Caletodraco discovered?
Fossils of Caletodraco were discovered in the Pays de Caux region of Normandy, France.
What does the name Caletodraco mean?
The name Caletodraco is derived from the Caleti, a Celtic tribe that inhabited the area, and the Latin word 'draco', meaning 'dragon'.
What is significant about Caletodraco's discovery?
Caletodraco is significant because it is the first definitive furileusaurian abelisaurid dinosaur to be named from outside of South America.
How large was Caletodraco?
Based on comparisons with similar dinosaurs like Skorpiovenator, Caletodraco is estimated to have been around 6 meters (20 feet) in total length.
Related Dinosaur species
Buriolestes
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Abelisaurus
Abelisaurus was a genus of predatory theropod dinosaur that lived in South America during the Late Cretaceous Period. Known primarily from a partial skull, it is estimated to have been a bipedal carnivore reaching around 7.4 meters in length.
Acheroraptor
Acheroraptor is an extinct genus of dromaeosaurid theropod dinosaur that lived in North America during the Late Cretaceous period. It is known from fossil remains discovered in the Hell Creek Formation of Montana, United States. Acheroraptor is notable for being one of the geologically youngest dromaeosaurids, existing just before the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event.