Microraptor

small thief (small plunderer)

• mikros · Greek · small
• raptor · Latin · robber, plunderer, one who seizes

Microraptor combines the Greek "mikros" (small) with the Latin "raptor" (robber or plunderer). The name refers to the animal's very small size, which was notable for a dromaeosaurid, a group of predatory theropods. It was a small, feathered dinosaur with flight feathers on both its arms and legs.

Named by

Xu et al.

Year named

2000

Period

Early Cretaceous

Stage

Aptian

Found in

Jiufotang Formation, Liaoning Province, China

A dromaeosaurid theropod known from many well-preserved specimens showing feathers. Several species were once named, such as M. zhaoianus and M. gui. Many researchers now treat them as one species, M. zhaoianus. The genus was named in 2000 for the type species M. zhaoianus.