Vespersaurus

Say it like this: “VES-per-SAWR-us”

Vespersaurus paranaensis

Vespersaurus ate meat and walked on two legs. It lived in the Early Cretaceous. Bones have been found in Brazil.

Quiz me on Vespersaurus

When: Early Cretaceous (Aptian · Albian) · roughly 121.4 to 100.5 million years ago
Named in: 2019 · Langer, M. C.; Martins, N. de O.; Manzig, P. C.; Ferreira, G. de S.; Marsola, J. C. de A.; Fortes, E.; Lima, R.; Sant'ana, L. C. F.; Vidal, L. da S.; Lorençato, R. H. da S.; Ezcurra, M. D.
Hip height: 0.4 m · 1 ft
Length: 1–1.5 m · 3–5 ft
Weight: 11 kg · 24 lb
Found in: Brazil · Rio Paraná
Food and walking: Carnivore · Two legs
Kind: sharp-clawed runner · Theropod
Family branch: Noasaurinae

The story in short

Vespersaurus was formally named in 2019 by M. C. Langer and colleagues.

Fossils referred to Vespersaurus date to the Early Cretaceous (Aptian · Albian), roughly 121.4 to 100.5 million years ago. Finds come from Brazil, including the Rio Paraná Formation. It was a carnivore and walked on two legs.

Published estimates put Vespersaurus at a length near 1–1.5 m, hips about 0.4 m high, and a body mass around 11 kg.

On the family tree it sits in Noasaurinae, among the theropod dinosaurs.

Close relatives

Laevisuchus

Laevisuchus indicus

Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) · roughly 72.2 to 66 million years ago

Masiakasaurus

Masiakasaurus knopfleri

Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) · roughly 72.2 to 66 million years ago

Noasaurus

Noasaurus leali

Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) · roughly 72.2 to 66 million years ago