Patagonykus

Patagonian claw

• Patagon- · Latinised place name · Patagonia, region of southern South America
• onykus · Greek · claw

The name combines Patagonia, the region of southern Argentina where the fossil was found, with the Greek word for "claw". It refers to the animal's stout, single large claw on each hand, a hallmark of alvarezsaurid dinosaurs. The type species is Patagonykus puertai.

Named by

Novas

Year named

1996

Period

Late Cretaceous

Stages

Turonian – Coniacian

Found in

Portezuelo Formation, Neuquén Province, Argentina

A small, bird-like theropod belonging to the Alvarezsauridae (Parvicursorinae/Patagonykinae, depending on the classification). It is known from partial skeletal remains.