Aucasaurus

Taxobox|
name = "Aucasaurus"
fossil_range = Late Cretaceous

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image_width = 200px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Sauropsida
superordo = Dinosauria
ordo = Saurischia
subordo = Theropoda
infraordo = Ceratosauria
familia = Abelisauridae
subfamilia = Carnotaurinae
tribus = Carnotaurini
genus = "Aucasaurus"
binomial = "Aucasaurus garridoi"
binomial_authority = Coria, Chiappe, Dingus, 2002

"Aucasaurus" was a genus of medium-sized theropod dinosaur from Argentina that lived during the Santonian stage. It was around 4 m (13 ft) long and 1 m (3 ft) high at the hip, weighing around 700 kg (1,500 lb); considerably smaller than the related "Carnotaurus", although the arms were longer. It is the smallest known carnotaurine.

The type skeleton is complete to the thirteenth caudal vertebra, and so is relatively well understood, and is the most complete abelisaurid yet described. However, the skull is damaged, causing some paleontologists to speculate that it was involved in a fight shortly prior to death.

In popular culture

This dinosaur was featured in the DVD series Dinosaur Planet.

External links

* [http://home.comcast.net/~eoraptor/Ceratosauria.htm#Aucasaurusgarridoi The Theropod Database] on "Aucasaurus"
* [http://www.users.qwest.net/~jstweet1/abelisauridae.htm "Thescelosaurus"! on "Aucasaurus"]