A new carnosaur (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Lower Cretaceous of Japan

Abstract

An associated skeleton from the Kitadani quarry of the Lower Cretaceous (Albian) strata in Fukui Prefecture, Japan, represents a new genus and species of carnosaur (Dinosauria: Theropoda). The immature specimen, which is about 4.2 m long, is well preserved and includes elements of the skull, vertebral column, front limbs, and hind limbs. The hands are relatively large and armed with strongly curved, sharp claws, suggesting that it was an active predator. Phylogenetic analysis indicates it is a basal allosauroid. An isolated astragalus from Australia may represent a closely related species.