Dysalotosaurus

hard-to-catch lizard

• dysalotos · Greek · hard to catch, difficult to capture
• sauros · Greek · lizard

The name combines the Greek "dysalotos" (hard to catch, difficult to capture) with "sauros" (lizard). It is usually read as "uncatchable lizard", probably alluding to this small, lightly built plant-eater being a fast runner. The only named species, D. lettowvorbecki, honours Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, the German general famous for evading capture in East Africa during World War I.

Named by

Virchow

Year named

1919

Period

Late Jurassic

Stage

Kimmeridgian

Found in

Tendaguru Formation, Lindi Region, Tanzania

A small ornithopod related to Dryosaurus (family Dryosauridae). Known from abundant material, including many individuals of different growth stages, from the Tendaguru beds. Type species: D. lettowvorbecki.