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Joanusaurus: Difference between revisions
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'''''Joanusaurus''''' is a genus of large carnivorous theropod dinosaur that lived 150 to 130 million years ago during the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous epoch in modern day central [[Levantia]]. The name "Joanusaurus" means "[[Joanus de Martigueux|Joanus]]' lizard", named in honour of the founder of [[Yonderre]]. The first fossil remains that could definitively be ascribed to this genus were described in 1878 by [[Yonderian people|Yonderian]] paleontologist [[Thibault d'Avignon]]. As one of the first well-known theropod dinosaurs, it has long attracted attention outside of paleontological circles. ''Joanusaurus'' was a large bipedal predator. Its skull was light, robust and equipped with dozens of sharp, serrated teeth. It averaged 10 meters (33 ft) in length, though fragmentary remains suggest it could have reached over 12 m (39 ft). Relative to the large and powerful hindlimbs, its three-fingered forelimbs were small, and the body was balanced by a long and heavily muscled tail. It is classified as an joanusaurid, a type of carnosaurian theropod dinosaur. The bulk of ''Joanusaurus'' remains have come from Central Levantia's [[Greater Levantine Formation]], with material also known from northern [[Caphiria]]. ''Joanusaurus'' has been the [[National Symbols of Yonderre|National Dinosaur]] of [[Yonderre]] since 1932 . | '''''Joanusaurus''''' is a genus of large carnivorous theropod dinosaur that lived 150 to 130 million years ago during the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous epoch in modern day central [[Levantia]]. The name "Joanusaurus" means "[[Joanus de Martigueux|Joanus]]' lizard", named in honour of the founder of [[Yonderre]]. The first fossil remains that could definitively be ascribed to this genus were described in 1878 by [[Yonderian people|Yonderian]] paleontologist [[Thibault d'Avignon]]. As one of the first well-known theropod dinosaurs, it has long attracted attention outside of paleontological circles. ''Joanusaurus'' was a large bipedal predator. Its skull was light, robust and equipped with dozens of sharp, serrated teeth. It averaged 10 meters (33 ft) in length, though fragmentary remains suggest it could have reached over 12 m (39 ft). Relative to the large and powerful hindlimbs, its three-fingered forelimbs were small, and the body was balanced by a long and heavily muscled tail. It is classified as an joanusaurid, a type of carnosaurian theropod dinosaur. The bulk of ''Joanusaurus'' remains have come from Central Levantia's [[Greater Levantine Formation]], with material also known from northern [[Caphiria]]. ''Joanusaurus'' has been the [[National Symbols of Yonderre|National Dinosaur]] of [[Yonderre]] since 1932. | ||
As the most abundant large predator in the [[Greater Levantine Formation]], ''Joanusaurus'' was at the top of the food chain, probably preying on contemporaneous large herbivorous dinosaurs, and perhaps other predators. Potential prey included ornithopods, stegosaurids, and sauropods. Some paleontologists interpret ''Joanusaurus'' as having had cooperative social behavior, and hunting in packs, while others believe individuals may have been aggressive toward each other, and that congregations of this genus are the result of lone individuals feeding on the same carcasses. | As the most abundant large predator in the [[Greater Levantine Formation]], ''Joanusaurus'' was at the top of the food chain, probably preying on contemporaneous large herbivorous dinosaurs, and perhaps other predators. Potential prey included ornithopods, stegosaurids, and sauropods. Some paleontologists interpret ''Joanusaurus'' as having had cooperative social behavior, and hunting in packs, while others believe individuals may have been aggressive toward each other, and that congregations of this genus are the result of lone individuals feeding on the same carcasses. | ||