Open Paleo

Infernogallus

Funston et al., 2026 in-FUR-noh-GAL-us /ɪnˌfɜːrnoʊˈɡæləs/

From Latin 'inferno' (hell) and 'gallus' (chicken), for the Hell Creek Formation and the animal's small, bird-like appearance.

72.2–66.0 million years ago Maastrichtian, Late Cretaceous
Late Cretaceous stages

Infernogallus is an extinct genus of oviraptorosaurian theropod dinosaur in the family Caenagnathidae, known from multiple localities in the Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian age) Hell Creek Formation of the United States. The genus contains a single species, Infernogallus jamesi, known from a partial articulated skull and skeleton and several isolated cranial remains. With an estimated body mass of around 12 kg (26 lb), it is a small caenagnathid. The skull of the holotype specimen is the first nearly complete and articulated skull discovered for a caenagnathid. It shows a reorganization of jaw muscles that may be an adaptation for fruit eating, similar to some modern parrots but unique among non-avian theropods.

Diagnosis

  1. Broad jugal with large anterior ascending process that contacts the squamosal posteriorly
  2. Infratemporal fenestra extremely reduced, about 25% the diameter of the orbit
  3. Quadratojugal with greatly enlarged, circular posterior process
  4. Squamosal with dorsoventrally broad body lacking a depression and ridge for adductor musculature
  5. Pterygoids concave dorsally, unfused along the midline, with a lateral buttress; ectopterygoid-pterygoid bar greatly expanded and extending far ventrally
  6. Lateral tubercle on posteroventral ramus of dentary; extensor ridge on metacarpal II; tubercle proximal to the condyle on metatarsal I

Species

Infernogallus jamesi Funston et al., 2026

Type species

Named for James William Boyd, paternal grandfather of coauthor Clint Boyd, who sparked his interest in paleontology.

Holotype
ROM VP 65050 , Royal Ontario Museum
Material
Articulated partial skeleton including the skull and mandible, cervical and dorsal vertebrae, right pectoral girdle and forelimb, partial pelvic girdle, and partial right hindlimb.
Horizon
Hell Creek Formation, Maastrichtian, Late Cretaceous , 72.2–66.0 million years ago
Locality
Garfield County, Montana, United States

References

  1. Funston, G. F.; Dudgeon, T. W.; Simon, D. J.; Dufault, D. M.; Boyd, C.; Fowler, D.; Currie, P. J.; Evans, D. C. (2026). Fruit-eating adaptations in a Late Cretaceous oviraptorosaur (Theropoda). Nature Communications. doi:10.1038/s41467-026-78343-w funston2026a