Koparion

little scalpel (or small surgical knife)

• kopárion · Greek · little scalpel / small knife

The name Koparion comes from the ancient Greek word "kopárion," a diminutive of "kopís," meaning a cutting blade or scalpel. It was chosen in reference to the small, blade-like teeth of this dinosaur, which resemble tiny surgical scalpels. The name reflects both the diminutive size of the animal and the distinctive cutting shape of its teeth.

Named by

Chure

Year named

1994

Period

Late Jurassic

Stage

Kimmeridgian

Found in

Morrison Formation, Utah, USA

Koparion is a small troodontid (or troodontid-like) theropod known only from isolated teeth from the Morrison Formation of Utah. Because it is based solely on teeth, it is widely regarded as a nomen dubium — the material is too fragmentary to confidently diagnose a distinct genus. It is notable for being one of the earliest known troodontid-like dinosaurs from North America.