Austroraptor

southern thief (southern plunderer)

• austro · Latin · southern
• raptor · Latin · thief, plunderer, one who seizes

The name combines the Latin "austro" (southern) with "raptor" (thief or plunderer). It was chosen because this large dromaeosaurid from Argentina was found in the Southern Hemisphere, where it was one of the largest known raptors from that part of the world. The type species is Austroraptor cabazai, named after Argentine landowner Familia Cabaza.

Named by

Novas et al.

Year named

2008

Period

Late Cretaceous

Stages

Campanian – Maastrichtian

Found in

Allen Formation, Río Negro Province, Patagonia, Argentina

A large unenlagiine dromaeosaurid (about 5 m long) with a long, low skull and tiny arms. The exact stage of the Allen Formation is debated (Campanian–Maastrichtian).