Open Paleo

Iyuku

Forster et al., 2023 eye-YOO-koo

From the Xhosa word for 'hatchling', in reference to the immature status of the specimens. The species name honors South African paleontologist Mike Raath.

137.1–132.6 million years ago Valanginian, Early Cretaceous
Early Cretaceous stages

Iyuku is a genus of iguanodontian dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous Kirkwood Formation of South Africa. The type species is Iyuku raathi.

Diagnosis

  1. Maxillary crowns narrower than dentary crowns
  2. Very long postacetabular process
  3. Sternal plates with caudolateral process
  4. Wide and rounded scapular spine
  5. Narrower brevis shelf
  6. Prepubis lacking ridge on medial side

Species

Iyuku raathi Forster et al., 2023

Type species

Named for Mike Raath, South African paleontologist.

Holotype
AM 6150 , Albany Museum
Material
Partial semi-articulated skeleton preserving part of skull, vertebral centra and arches, scapulae, pelvic girdle, both hind limbs, and ribs.
Horizon
upper Kirkwood Formation, Valanginian, Early Cretaceous , 137.1–132.6 million years ago
Locality
Kirkwood Lookout, Eastern Cape, South Africa Forster and colleagues (2023) place the material in the formation's uppermost member without naming it, and put the bone-bearing quarry about 51 m up a roughly 60 m section.

References

  1. Forster, C. A.; de Klerk, W. J.; Poole, K. E.; Chinsamy-Turan, A.; Roberts, E. M.; Ross, C. F. (2023). Iyuku raathi, a new iguanodontian dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous Kirkwood Formation, South Africa. The Anatomical Record 306(7): 1762-1803. Wiley. doi:10.1002/ar.25038 forster2023a
  2. Jones, B. (2026). The Princeton Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs: Ornithischians. Princeton University Press.

    Source of the body length, mass, and hip height estimates.

    jones2026a