Open Paleo

Ojoraptorsaurus

Sullivan et al., 2011 o-jo-RAP-tuh-SOR-us Disputed

Combines a reference to the Ojo Alamo Formation (where it was found) with Latin raptor ('plunderer') and Latinized Greek sauros ('lizard'); meaning 'Ojo Alamo plunderer lizard'

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

Ojoraptorsaurus is a dubious genus of oviraptorosaurian dinosaur from the late Cretaceous. Ojoraptorsaurus is only known from pubic bones found at the Naashoibito Member of the Ojo Alamo Formation dating to the late Maastrichtian, about 66 million years ago. It was first named by Robert M. Sullivan, Steven E. Jasinski and Mark P.A. van Tomme in 2011 and the type species is Ojoraptorsaurus boerei. The generic name combines a reference to the formation with a Latin raptor, "plunderer", and a Latinized Greek saurus, "lizard". The specific name honors oceanographer Arjan Boeré who found the specimen.

Under dispute

Ojoraptorsaurus is a caenagnathid but its validity is contested. It was named from a pair of fused pubes, and Funston and Williamson (2024) reassessed its proposed diagnostic features as non-autapomorphic in light of newer pelvic material, concluding that it should be regarded as a nomen dubium. The Princeton Encyclopedia (Jones, 2026) still treats it as valid.

Diagnosis

  1. Spoon-shaped depression on anterior dorsal surface of pubic boot
  2. Enclosed pubic fossa recessed ≥1 cm from acetabular rim on medial shaft surface
  3. Distal pubic shaft above boot slightly convex anteriorly
  4. Iliac peduncle articular surface sub-trapezoidal in shape

Species

Ojoraptorsaurus boerei Sullivan et al., 2011 Disputed

Type species

Named for oceanographer Arjan Boeré, who found the specimen.

Holotype
SMP VP-1458 , State Museum of Pennsylvania
Material
Nearly complete paired, fused pubes
Horizon
Naashoibito Member, Ojo Alamo Formation, Maastrichtian, Late Cretaceous , 72.2–66.0 million years ago
Locality
SMP locality 384b, southern De-na-zin Microsite, near Barrel Springs, New Mexico, United States

References

  1. Sullivan, R. M.; Jasinski, S. E.; Van Tomme, M. P. A. (2011). A new caenagnathid Ojoraptorsaurus boerei, n. gen., n. sp. (Dinosauria, Oviraptorosauria), from the Upper Cretaceous Ojo Alamo Formation (Naashoibito Member), San Juan Basin, New Mexico. Fossil Record 3 53: 418-428. New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. sullivan2011a
  2. Jones, B. (2026). The Princeton Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs: Theropods. Princeton University Press.

    Treats Ojoraptorsaurus as a caenagnathid.

    jones2026c
  3. Funston, G. F.; Williamson, T. E.; Brusatte, S. L. (2024). A caenagnathid tibia (Theropoda: Oviraptorosauria) from the upper Campanian Kirtland Formation of New Mexico. Cretaceous Research 158: 105856. Elsevier BV. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2024.105856

    Reassessed the Ojoraptorsaurus diagnostic features as non-autapomorphic.

    funston2024a