Saltriovenator zanellai is the only known species of the extinct Saltriovenator genus of ceratosaurian theropod dinosaur that lived at the beginning of the Jurassic period, approximately 199 to 195 million years ago during the Sinemurian, in what is today Europe and more specifically in Italy.
This carnivorous dinosaur was discovered in the Saltrio quarry, hence its name, and its discovery provided important data on the diversity of theropods in Europe during the Jurassic.
Saltriovenator zanellai belonged to the tetanuran group, a clade of theropods that includes the most advanced carnivores, such as the famous Tyrannosaurus rex. It is estimated that it was around 7.3 meters long and had a robust build, with relatively short and strong front limbs, and sharp claws on its hands, typical characteristics of hunting theropods.
One of the most notable features of Saltriovenator zanellai is its skull, which exhibited a unique combination of primitive and advanced features. For example, it had serrated and laterally compressed teeth, adapted to cutting and tearing the flesh of prey, but it also had certain cranial characteristics more similar to the most primitive theropods.
The discovery of this dinosaur provides important information about the early evolution of theropods in Europe and suggests that this region was inhabited by a diversity of carnivores during the Jurassic.
Approximate measurements of the Saltriovenator:
This carnivorous dinosaur was discovered in the Saltrio quarry, hence its name, and its discovery provided important data on the diversity of theropods in Europe during the Jurassic.
Saltriovenator zanellai belonged to the tetanuran group, a clade of theropods that includes the most advanced carnivores, such as the famous Tyrannosaurus rex. It is estimated that it was around 7.3 meters long and had a robust build, with relatively short and strong front limbs, and sharp claws on its hands, typical characteristics of hunting theropods.
One of the most notable features of Saltriovenator zanellai is its skull, which exhibited a unique combination of primitive and advanced features. For example, it had serrated and laterally compressed teeth, adapted to cutting and tearing the flesh of prey, but it also had certain cranial characteristics more similar to the most primitive theropods.
The discovery of this dinosaur provides important information about the early evolution of theropods in Europe and suggests that this region was inhabited by a diversity of carnivores during the Jurassic.
Approximate measurements of the Saltriovenator:
- 1:35 scale - Complete
- Length 199mm
- Height 71mm
- Snout-tail length 209 mm
- 1:20 scale - Two-piece assembly kit
- Length 350mm
- Height 125mm
- Snout-tail length 365 mm
