Oviraptorinae
Encyclopedia
Oviraptorinae is a subfamily of bird-like maniraptora
n theropod dinosaur
s within the clade Oviraptoridae
.
The classification of the oviraptorids has been controversial. The Oviraptoridae was traditionally divided into the small, short-armed, and crestless subfamily "Ingeniinae" (the name was preoccupied by an invertebrate group), and the larger, crested, long-armed Oviraptorinae. However, later phylogenetic studies showed that many traditional members of the Caenagnathidae were in fact more closely related to the crested oviraptorids. Because Caenagnathus
itself is no longer considered part of this group, the subfamiliy is usually now termed the Elmisaurinae. The Ingeniines are now typically included with the oviraptorines to reflect this new basic division in forms. The taxonomy below follows the one presented by Thomas Holtz, Jr. in 2010.
Maniraptora
Maniraptora is a clade of coelurosaurian dinosaurs which includes the birds and the dinosaurs that were more closely related to them than to Ornithomimus velox. It contains the major subgroups Avialae, Deinonychosauria, Oviraptorosauria and Therizinosauria. Ornitholestes and the Alvarezsauroidea...
n theropod dinosaur
Dinosaur
Dinosaurs are a diverse group of animals of the clade and superorder Dinosauria. They were the dominant terrestrial vertebrates for over 160 million years, from the late Triassic period until the end of the Cretaceous , when the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event led to the extinction of...
s within the clade Oviraptoridae
Oviraptoridae
Oviraptoridae is a group of bird-like, herbivorous and omnivorous maniraptoran dinosaurs. Oviraptorids are characterized by their toothless, parrot-like beaks and, in some cases, elaborate crests. They were generally small, measuring between one and two metres long in most cases, though some...
.
Classification and species
The classification of the oviraptorids has been controversial. The Oviraptoridae was traditionally divided into the small, short-armed, and crestless subfamily "Ingeniinae" (the name was preoccupied by an invertebrate group), and the larger, crested, long-armed Oviraptorinae. However, later phylogenetic studies showed that many traditional members of the Caenagnathidae were in fact more closely related to the crested oviraptorids. Because Caenagnathus
Caenagnathus
Caenagnathus is a genus of oviraptorosaurian dinosaur from the late Cretaceous . It is known from a single lower jaw, found in the Dinosaur Park Formation of Alberta, Canada.-Taxonomic history:...
itself is no longer considered part of this group, the subfamiliy is usually now termed the Elmisaurinae. The Ingeniines are now typically included with the oviraptorines to reflect this new basic division in forms. The taxonomy below follows the one presented by Thomas Holtz, Jr. in 2010.
- Oviraptorinae
- Banji longBanjiBanji is a genus of oviraptorid dinosaur. It contains one species, Banji long, named from the Chinese for "striped crest dragon". The species is represented by a single skull and lower jaw. The specimen was donated to the Chinese Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology by an...
, a primitive form known from a lower jaw, pelvis and hind limb elements. Mangchuan Formation, ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. - Citipati osmolskaeCitipatiCitipati is a genus of oviraptorid theropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous Period of what is now Mongolia . It is one of the best-known oviraptorids, thanks to a number of well-preserved skeletons, including several specimens found in brooding positions atop nests of eggs...
was named based on several well-known specimens, including nesting adults, eggs, and an embryo. It had an anteriorly-placed crest and lived at the same time and place as Oviraptor. Djadochta FormationDjadochta FormationThe Djadochta Formation is situated in central Asia and dates from the Late Cretaceous Period. Laid down in the early Campanian, possibly starting in the latest Santonian, it is dated somewhat uncertainly at about 84-75 mya...
, Mongolia. - Citipati sp.CitipatiCitipati is a genus of oviraptorid theropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous Period of what is now Mongolia . It is one of the best-known oviraptorids, thanks to a number of well-preserved skeletons, including several specimens found in brooding positions atop nests of eggs...
, a specimen tentatively referred to the genus Citipati, was found in the 1980s and previously thought to be Oviraptor. It had a forward-sloping cassowary-like crest. Djadochta Formation, Mongolia. - Conchoraptor gracilisConchoraptorConchoraptor is a genus of oviraptorid dinosaur from the late Cretaceous Period of what is now Asia.-Description:...
is a small crestless form with a slender second toe. Many specimens have been referred to it, but there have been no detailed studies showing exactly which ones are correctly referred. Barun Goyot FormationBarun Goyot FormationThe Barun Goyot Formation , dating from the Late Cretaceous Period, is located within and is widely represented in the Gobi Desert basin, in the Ömnögovi Province of Mongolia....
, Mongolia. - Heyuannia huangiHeyuanniaHeyuannia is a genus of oviraptorid dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous Period in China. It was the first oviraptorid found in that country; most others were found in neighbouring Mongolia....
is the first named oviraptorid from China and resembles Ingenia closely, but is distinguished by having more hip vertebrae and the first finger fused with the wrist. Dalangshan FormationDalangshan FormationThe Dalangshan Formation is a geological formation in Guangdong, China, whose strata date back to the Late Cretaceous period.Dinosaur remains are among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation.-References:...
, China. - "Ingenia" yanshiniIngenia"Ingenia" is a genus of oviraptorid theropod dinosaurs, with one known species, "Ingenia" yanshini. Fossils have been found in several Late Cretaceous-age formations of Mongolia, most prominently in the Bugin Tsav beds of the Nemegt Formation, which has also yielded the holotype of Mononykus...
has also had a lot of material referred to it that probably doesn't belong. It was contemporaneous with ConchoraptorConchoraptorConchoraptor is a genus of oviraptorid dinosaur from the late Cretaceous Period of what is now Asia.-Description:...
, and work needs to be done separating their remains from each other. "Ingenia"s hand is distinguished by a very large first finger and reduced second and third fingers. The name "Ingenia" is preoccupied and will be replaced in the near future. Barun Goyot Formation, Mongolia. - Khaan mckennaiKhaanKhaan was an oviraptorid dinosaur that was found in the Djadochta Formation of Mongolia and lived in the Late Cretaceous Period , 75 million years ago....
is another taxon that closely resembles Conchoraptor, but has a reduced third finger. It lived alongside Citipati. Djadochta Formation, Mongolia. - Machairasaurus leptonychusMachairasaurusMachairasaurus is a genus of oviraptorid dinosaur which was found in the Bayan Mandahu Formation, China during the late Cretaceous period. It was first named by Nicholas R. Longrich, Philip J. Currie and Dong Zhi-Ming in 2010 and the type species is Machairasaurus leptonychus....
an "ingeniine" known only from a hand and partial arm, with weakly clawed digits indicating herbivory. Barun Goyot Formation, Mongolia. - Nemegtomaia barsboldiNemegtomaiaNemegtomaia is a genus of oviraptorid dinosaur from the late Cretaceous Period of what is now Mongolia. The type species, Nemegtomaia barsboldi, was described by Lü, Tomida, Azuma, Dong, and Lee in 2004...
, originally named Nemegtia and once assigned to "Ingenia", known from excellent skull material. Nemegt Formation, Mongolia. - Oviraptor philoceratopsOviraptorOviraptor is a genus of small Mongolian theropod dinosaur, first discovered by the paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews, and first described by Henry Fairfield Osborn, in 1924...
, from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia. Found in 1924, it has a longer snout and seemingly extensive crest on its head. Most illustrations of it are actually based on Citipati sp.. Djadochta Formation, Mongolia. - Rinchenia mongoliensisRincheniaRinchenia is a genus of Mongolian oviraptorid dinosaur from the late Cretaceous Period. The type species, Rinchenia mongoliensis, was originally classified as a species within the genus Oviraptor , but a re-examination by Barsbold in 1997 found differences significant enough to warrant a separate...
was originally called Oviraptor mongoliensis. It had a very high crest on the center of its head, and is from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia as well. Nemegt Formation, Mongolia.
- Banji long