
Masiakasaurus Isolated on a White Background

by Daniel Eskridge
Title
Masiakasaurus Isolated on a White Background
Artist
Daniel Eskridge
Medium
Digital Art - Digital Painting
Description
Licensing: https://licensing.pixels.com/featured/masiakasaurus-isolated-on-a-white-background-daniel-eskridge.html
Masiakasaurus is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 70 to 66 million years ago. It was a small-sized dinosaur, measuring about 6 to 7 feet (2 to 2.5 meters) in length.
Masiakasaurus belongs to a group of theropod dinosaurs called abelisaurids, which were predominantly found in the southern continents during the Cretaceous period. It is known from fossil remains discovered in Madagascar, specifically from the Isalo III Formation.
One of the distinctive features of Masiakasaurus is its unique dentition. Its name, which means "vicious lizard," is derived from the Malagasy language, reflecting the sharp, serrated teeth found in its upper and lower jaws. These teeth had a forward-pointing orientation, suggesting a specialized feeding behavior. It is believed that Masiakasaurus had a specialized diet, possibly preying on small vertebrates or feeding on fish.
The skeletal structure of Masiakasaurus suggests that it had a relatively short neck and robust forelimbs with three-fingered hands. Its hind limbs were likely well-adapted for running and hunting.
As an abelisaurid, Masiakasaurus was part of a diverse group of carnivorous dinosaurs that inhabited various environments around the world during the Late Cretaceous. The discovery of Masiakasaurus has provided valuable insights into the diversity and evolution of dinosaurs in Madagascar, which was an isolated landmass during the Late Cretaceous period.
Uploaded
July 5th, 2023
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