Deltadromeus

delta runner

• delta · Greek · the Greek letter delta, used for a river delta (here, the deltaic environment where it lived)
• dromeus · Greek · runner

The name combines "delta" with the Greek "dromeus", meaning "runner". It refers to the ancient river delta environment in which the animal lived and to its slender, long-legged build, which suggests a fast runner. The type species is Deltadromeus agilis, "agile delta runner".

Named by

Sereno et al.

Year named

1996

Period

Late Cretaceous

Stage

Cenomanian

Found in

Kem Kem Beds, Morocco

A large theropod, usually regarded as a basal member of the Neoceratosauria (possibly related to the Noasauridae). It is sometimes compared to Bahariasaurus. Its exact relationships are debated.