Maip
Named for Maip, a malicious being in Aonikenk (Tehuelche) mythology described as 'the shadow of death' that 'kills with cold wind', from the indigenous traditions of Patagonia.
Late Cretaceous stages
Maip is a genus of large megaraptorid theropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) Chorrillo Formation of Santa Cruz, Argentina. The genus contains a single species, M. macrothorax, known from an incomplete, disarticulated skeleton. Maip may represent the largest megaraptorid known from South America, and possibly the world.
Diagnosis
- Mid-dorsal vertebrae with saddle-shaped articular surface of parapophyses
- Mid-caudal vertebrae with accessory posterior centrodiapophyseal lamina subdividing posterior transverse fossa
- First dorsal rib with honeycomb internal structure on tuberculum
- Prominent anterior projection on coracoid
- Coracoid lacking subglenoid ridge
- Coracoid lacking posteroventral fossa
- Coracoid with ventromedial margin forming deep articular surface for sternum
Species
Maip macrothorax Aranciaga Rolando et al., 2022
Type species
From Ancient Greek 'makros' meaning 'large' and Latin 'thorax' meaning 'chest', in reference to the notably large thoracic cavity of this megaraptorid.
- Holotype
- MPM 21545 , Museo Padre Molina, Rio Gallegos
- Material
- Axis, dorsals 2-7, 9, 10-11, 12-13, proximal caudals, cervical ribs 5/7-8, dorsal ribs 1/2/6, gastral elements, coracoid, second metatarsal distal end, scapula fragments (1.20+ m thoracic width)
- Horizon
- middle Chorrillo Formation, Maastrichtian, Late Cretaceous , 72.2–66.0 million years ago
- Locality
- Megaraptorid Site, La Anita Farm, Santa Cruz, Argentina
References
- Aranciaga Rolando, A. M.; Motta, M. J.; Agnolín, F. L.; Manabe, M.; Tsuihiji, T.; Novas, F. E. (2022). A large Megaraptoridae (Theropoda: Coelurosauria) from Upper Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) of Patagonia, Argentina. Scientific Reports 12(1). Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-09272-z aranciagarolando2022a