Ekrixinatosaurus novasi is an extinct species of theropod dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous Period, approximately 97 million years ago, in what is now South America, specifically in the region of Patagonia, Argentina. This dinosaur belongs to the group of abelisaurids, a family of theropods characterized by their carnivorous adaptations and their distribution mainly in the ancient continents of the southern hemisphere.
Ekrixinatosaurus novasi is notable for its relatively large size, with an estimated length of around 10 to 11 meters. Like other abelisaurids, it had a robust and deep skull, with powerful jaws equipped with sharp, recurved teeth, designed to tear flesh. These features indicate that it was an active predator, capable of hunting large prey, although it is possible that it also fed on carrion on some occasions.
Ekrixinatosaurus had a muscular body with a robust build that provided it with the strength needed to hunt and dominate other animals. The forelimbs of this dinosaur were noticeably reduced, a common feature among abelisaurids, suggesting that the front legs did not play a significant role in capturing prey. In contrast, its hind limbs were long and powerful, adapted for bipedal locomotion, allowing it to run quickly to ambush prey or escape dangerous situations.
The name Ekrixinatosaurus means "explosion lizard," referring to the fact that the fossils were found after an explosion during excavations, while "novasi" honors the Argentine paleontologist Fernando Novas, who has made significant contributions to the study of South American dinosaurs.
The fossils of Ekrixinatosaurus novasi were discovered in the Candeleros Formation, in Neuquén Province, a region known for its rich diversity of Cretaceous dinosaurs. The discovery of Ekrixinatosaurus has been fundamental to understanding the diversity and evolution of abelisaurids in South America, a group that dominated the terrestrial ecosystems of the continent for much of the Cretaceous. The anatomical structure of Ekrixinatosaurus reflects a combination of primitive and derived features within abelisaurids, making it an important reference point in the evolution of these theropods.
The anatomy of Ekrixinatosaurus suggests that it was an apex predator in its ecosystem, occupying a similar ecological niche to other large theropods of its time, but with specific adaptations that allowed it to thrive in the particular environment of Patagonia during the Cretaceous. The coexistence of Ekrixinatosaurus with other large carnivorous dinosaurs in the same region reflects the complexity of prehistoric South American ecosystems, where multiple species of large predators shared the same habitats.
Approximate measurements of Ekrixinatosaurus:
Ekrixinatosaurus novasi is notable for its relatively large size, with an estimated length of around 10 to 11 meters. Like other abelisaurids, it had a robust and deep skull, with powerful jaws equipped with sharp, recurved teeth, designed to tear flesh. These features indicate that it was an active predator, capable of hunting large prey, although it is possible that it also fed on carrion on some occasions.
Ekrixinatosaurus had a muscular body with a robust build that provided it with the strength needed to hunt and dominate other animals. The forelimbs of this dinosaur were noticeably reduced, a common feature among abelisaurids, suggesting that the front legs did not play a significant role in capturing prey. In contrast, its hind limbs were long and powerful, adapted for bipedal locomotion, allowing it to run quickly to ambush prey or escape dangerous situations.
The name Ekrixinatosaurus means "explosion lizard," referring to the fact that the fossils were found after an explosion during excavations, while "novasi" honors the Argentine paleontologist Fernando Novas, who has made significant contributions to the study of South American dinosaurs.
The fossils of Ekrixinatosaurus novasi were discovered in the Candeleros Formation, in Neuquén Province, a region known for its rich diversity of Cretaceous dinosaurs. The discovery of Ekrixinatosaurus has been fundamental to understanding the diversity and evolution of abelisaurids in South America, a group that dominated the terrestrial ecosystems of the continent for much of the Cretaceous. The anatomical structure of Ekrixinatosaurus reflects a combination of primitive and derived features within abelisaurids, making it an important reference point in the evolution of these theropods.
The anatomy of Ekrixinatosaurus suggests that it was an apex predator in its ecosystem, occupying a similar ecological niche to other large theropods of its time, but with specific adaptations that allowed it to thrive in the particular environment of Patagonia during the Cretaceous. The coexistence of Ekrixinatosaurus with other large carnivorous dinosaurs in the same region reflects the complexity of prehistoric South American ecosystems, where multiple species of large predators shared the same habitats.
Approximate measurements of Ekrixinatosaurus:
- Scale 1:35 (Ekrixinatosaurus in 2 pieces)
- Length 310 mm
- Height 104 mm
- Width 47 mm
- Snout-tail length 314 mm
