Megaraptor

giant thief (giant plunderer)

• mega · Greek · giant, great
• raptor · Latin · robber, plunderer, thief

The name combines Greek "mega" (great or giant) with Latin "raptor" (plunderer or thief). It was chosen for the large predator, which was first known from a huge sickle-shaped claw that was originally thought to belong on the foot, like the claw of a giant dromaeosaurid "raptor". Later finds showed the claw was on the hand, and Megaraptor is not closely related to dromaeosaurids.

Named by

Novas

Year named

1998

Period

Late Cretaceous

Stages

Turonian – Coniacian

Found in

Portezuelo Formation, Neuquén Province, Patagonia, Argentina

Type species is Megaraptor namunhuaiquii. It is the namesake of the Megaraptora, a group of theropods usually considered tyrannosauroids or basal coelurosaurs, or sometimes allosauroids (carcharodontosaurian relatives). Its placement is debated.