Dracovenator
DRAY-koh-ven-AY-tor /ˌdreɪkoʊvɛnˈeɪtər/
Accepted genus
dragon hunter
- draco · Latin · dragon
- venator · Latin · hunter
The name combines the Latin words for "dragon" and "hunter", so it means "dragon hunter". It was given to a predatory theropod known from skull fragments found in South Africa. The "dragon" part is probably a nod to the Drakensberg mountains ("Dragon Mountains") of the region.
- Named by
- Yates
- Year named
- 2005
- Period
- Early Jurassic
- Found in
- Upper Elliot Formation, Free State, South Africa
A theropod dinosaur, known from partial skull material. The type species is Dracovenator regenti. Its exact relationships are debated. It has been compared to Dilophosaurus and Cryolophosaurus, and also to coelophysoids. The link to the Drakensberg is my inference and is not confirmed here.