was among the earliest known dinosaurs, living during the Late Triassic period around 230 million years ago. Discovered in Brazil in the 1930s, this theropod dinosaur provides valuable insights into the origins and evolution of these ancient creatures.

Table of Contents

Physical Characteristics

Size: Measuring approximately 2 meters (6.5 feet) long
Weight: Estimated at around 30 kilograms (66 pounds)
Bipedal Locomotion: Walked upright on two legs
Long, Slender Body: With a flexible spine and a long tail
Small Head with Sharp Teeth: Possessed rows of small, serrated teeth for tearing flesh

Diet and Behavior

Based on its teeth and jaw structure, is believed to have been a carnivorous dinosaur. It likely fed on small animals, such as lizards, mammals, and insects.

Habitat and Distribution

Fossils of have been found in southern Brazil, suggesting that it inhabited subtropical forests or woodlands. Its distribution may have been limited to South America during the Late Triassic period.

Discovery and Classification

The first fossils were discovered in the 1930s by Brazilian paleontologist Llewellyn Ivor Price. The genus name "" means "southern cross lizard," referring to the location of its discovery in Brazil.

Significance and Importance

holds great significance in dinosaur research due to its early evolutionary position. It falls within the basal Saurischia clade, which includes all non-bird dinosaurs. Studying helps scientists understand the transition from early archosaurs to the diverse group of dinosaurs that followed.

Facts

Characteristic	Value
Length	2 meters (6.5 feet)
Weight	30 kilograms (66 pounds)
Diet	Carnivorous
Habitat	Subtropical forests or woodlands
Distribution	Southern Brazil

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What was the size of ?
A: Approximately 2 meters (6.5 feet) long.

Q: What did eat?
A: Small animals, such as lizards, mammals, and insects.

Q: Where did live?
A: Subtropical forests or woodlands in southern Brazil.

Q: When did live?
A: Late Triassic period, around 230 million years ago.

Q: Why is important?
A: It is one of the earliest known dinosaurs and provides insights into the evolution of dinosaurs.

References:

Google Doodle

In 2014, Google featured , a dinosaur that lived in Brazil during the Late Triassic period, in its Doodle. was a small, bipedal carnivore that played a crucial role in our understanding of dinosaur evolution.

This Doodle served as a celebration of the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the first dinosaur fossils and highlighted the importance of paleontological research. ‘s inclusion in the Doodle showcased the diverse and fascinating prehistoric creatures that inhabited our planet millions of years ago.

Dinosaur

was a small, carnivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Triassic period (about 228-201 million years ago). It was one of the earliest known dinosaurs and is classified as a theropod.

Description:

Length: About 2.2 meters (7 feet)
Weight: Around 15 kilograms (33 pounds)
Skull: Long and slender, with small, sharp teeth
Body: Bipedal, with a long tail
Limbs: Forelimbs were relatively short, while the hind limbs were long and powerful

Discovery and Significance:

was discovered in Brazil in 1936 by Llewellyn Ivor Price. It was initially classified as a rauisuchid, a group of crocodile-like reptiles. However, further studies revealed that it was actually a dinosaur.

is significant because it provides important insights into the early evolution of dinosaurs. It shows that even the earliest dinosaurs were carnivorous and bipedal, suggesting that this body plan was successful for their adaptation to the Triassic environment.

Theropods

was a small, bipedal dinosaur that lived during the Late Triassic period. It was one of the earliest known theropods, a group of dinosaurs that includes birds. was about 2 meters long and weighed about 30 kilograms. It had a long, thin skull with sharp teeth and a short, powerful tail.

was a carnivore that preyed on small animals such as lizards and mammals. It was also likely a scavenger, feeding on the carcasses of larger animals. lived in a warm, dry environment with a variety of vegetation. It was likely a solitary animal that only came together to mate.

is an important dinosaur because it provides evidence for the early evolution of theropods. It shows that theropods were small, bipedal animals with long, thin skulls and sharp teeth. also provides evidence for the evolution of feathers in theropods. Its feathers were likely used for insulation and display.

Pictures

pictures depict a genus of early dinosaurs that lived approximately 230 million years ago during the Late Triassic period. These extinct animals were bipedal predators with a distinctive skull and long tail.

Skull: had a relatively small, triangular skull with large eye sockets. Its teeth were sharp and serrated for tearing flesh.
Posture: These dinosaurs walked upright on two legs, with a long tail that helped them balance.
Size: was a relatively small dinosaur, estimated to be about 2 meters (6.5 feet) long and weighing around 30 kilograms (66 pounds).
Habitat: They inhabited a variety of environments, including floodplains and forests.
Significance: As one of the earliest known dinosaurs, plays a crucial role in understanding the evolutionary history and diversity of dinosaurs.

Discovery

In 1937, Brazilian paleontologist Llewellyn Ivor Price discovered the nearly complete skull and partial skeleton of a small dinosaur in the Santa Maria Formation of southern Brazil. This specimen, named pricei, was the first dinosaur fossil found in South America and one of the earliest known dinosaurs worldwide. The discovery of provided significant evidence for the early diversification of dinosaurs and helped establish the importance of the Santa Maria Formation as a treasure trove of dinosaur fossils.

Characteristics

Medium-sized theropod dinosaur, about 3-4 meters (9-13 feet) long
Bipedal (walked on two legs)
Carnivorous (meat-eating)
Gracile build with long, slender limbs
Relatively small skull with sharp teeth
Prominent crest on the top of the skull
Strong, flexible neck
Hollow bones, lightening the body for speed and agility
Clawed feet for grasping prey

Environment

was a carnivorous dinosaur that inhabited the Ischigualasto Formation in what is now Argentina during the Late Triassic period, around 233-228 million years ago. This ancient environment was a semi-arid to arid landscape with a diverse ecosystem.

shared its habitat with other reptiles, such as the herbivorous dinosaur Eoraptor and the carnivorous dinosaur Herrerasaurus. The ecosystem also included various cynodonts, early mammalian relatives, and the herbivorous dicynodont Ischigualastia.

The vegetation in the Ischigualasto Formation consisted of large conifer trees, ferns, and smaller plants. The presence of fossils from amphibians, fish, and turtles suggests that water bodies were also present in the area.

Diet

was an early dinosaur that lived during the Late Triassic period. Its diet consisted primarily of small animals, including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. had sharp teeth adapted for piercing and slicing through the flesh of its prey. Its relatively small size and agile body allowed it to move quickly through dense vegetation and pursue prey. Based on its fossilized stomach contents, is believed to have been an opportunistic predator that fed on whatever was readily available.

Size

was a relatively small dinosaur, measuring approximately 2-3 meters (6.6-9.8 feet) in length and weighing around 20 kilograms (44 pounds). Its skull was small and triangular, and its teeth were sharp and pointed, indicating a carnivorous diet. The dinosaur’s body was slender and agile, with long legs and a long tail for balance. was one of the earliest known dinosaurs and is considered a transitional form between early reptiles and later theropods.

Habitat

inhabited a region known as the Santa Maria Formation in southern Brazil. This area was characterized by a subtropical climate during the Late Triassic period, approximately 230 million years ago.

The Santa Maria Formation was a coastal region with a diverse ecosystem. is believed to have preferred the more open areas, where it could have hunted for small animals such as cynodonts and early mammals. It also frequented the edges of rivers and lakes, where it could find ample vegetation and freshwater.