Open Paleo

Viavenator

Filippi et al., 2016 VY-ah-VEN-uh-tuh

From Latin via meaning 'road' and venator meaning 'hunter'; translates as 'road hunter'

85.7–83.6 million years ago Santonian, Late Cretaceous
Late Cretaceous stages

Viavenator is a genus of carnivorous abelisaurid theropod dinosaur that lived in the Santonian-aged (Late Cretaceous) Bajo de la Carpa Formation of Argentina. Only a single species is known, V. exxoni, formally described in 2016 by Filippi and colleagues.

Diagnosis

  1. Parietal depression transversally compressed on both sides of supraoccipital crest
  2. Small paraoccipital processes with ventral edge above occipital condyle level
  3. Basioccipital-opisthotic complex about 2.5× occipital condyle width
  4. High crest below occipital condyle, diverging laterally toward basal tubercles
  5. Basisphenoidal recess highly developed with sub-circular contour opening ventrally
  6. Mid and posterior cervical centra with slightly convex lateral and ventral surfaces
  7. Hyposphene-hypantrum articulation present from dorsal vertebra 2
  8. Interspinous accessory articulation system in middle and posterior dorsal vertebrae
  9. Pair of pneumatic foramina within prespinal fossa in anterior caudal vertebrae
  10. Distal end of scapular blade posteriorly recurved

Species

Viavenator exxoni Filippi et al., 2016

Type species

Named in recognition of ExxonMobil's commitment to the preservation of paleontological heritage in the La Invernada area, Rincón de los Sauces, Neuquén, Patagonia, Argentina.

Holotype
MAU-Pv-LI-530 , Museo Argentino Urquiza, Rincón de los Sauces
Material
Partially associated skeleton
Horizon
Bajo de la Carpa Formation, Santonian, Late Cretaceous , 85.7–83.6 million years ago
Locality
La Invernada, Neuquén, Argentina

References

  1. Filippi, L. S.; Méndez, A. H.; Juárez Valieri, R. D.; Garrido, A. C. (2016). A new brachyrostran with hypertrophied axial structures reveals an unexpected radiation of latest Cretaceous abelisaurids. Cretaceous Research 61: 209-219. Elsevier BV. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2015.12.018 filippi2016a
  2. Paul, G. S. (2024). The Princeton Field Guide to Dinosaurs (3rd ed.). Princeton University Press.

    Source of the mass estimate.

    paul2024a