What is xenotarsosaurus?

Xenotarsosaurus is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 95-90 million years ago. It was a carnivorous dinosaur that belonged to the Abelisauridae family, which is a group of theropod dinosaurs known for their short arms and powerful jaws.

Xenotarsosaurus was discovered in Argentina in the Neuquén Province and was first described in 1970. It is known from partial skeletal remains, including vertebrae, limb bones, and fragmentary skull elements. Based on the size of the fossils, Xenotarsosaurus is estimated to have been around 6-7 meters in length and weighed around 1 ton.

The name Xenotarsosaurus means "alien tarsus lizard," referring to the strange shape of the ankle bones in this dinosaur. It is believed that Xenotarsosaurus may have had a unique way of walking due to the unusual structure of its feet, which could have helped it to be a successful predator in its habitat.

Overall, Xenotarsosaurus is not as well-known as some other theropod dinosaurs, but it provides valuable information about the diversity of carnivorous dinosaurs that lived in South America during the Late Cretaceous.