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theropod
(redirected from Theropods)

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theropod

Any species of bipedal, carnivorous saurischian in the suborder Theropoda. The chicken-sized Compsognathus,the smallest known adult dinosaur, probably weighed 2–4 lb (1–2 kg); the tyrannosaurs weighed tons. The theropods also included Allosaurus, Deinonychus, Megalosaurus, Oviraptor, and Velociraptor. Theropod remains recovered have been from the Late Triassic through the Late Cretaceous Epoch (227–65 million years ago) from all continents except Antarctica. Their well-developed hind legs provided support and locomotion; their short forelimbs had mobile hands, probably for grasping and tearing prey. Despite the group's name, which means “beast (i.e., mammal) foot,” theropod feet usually resembled those of birds. It is widely believed that all modern birds are descended from one line of small theropods.



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The findings are mostly evidence of theropods (upright carnivores) with footprints of theropod prey, hadrosaurs or duck-billed dinosaurs.
The new specimen's feet show resemblances to feet found in a subgroup of theropods called deinonychosaurs.
While scientists continue to debate whether birds evolved from theropods, most studies confirm that birds and dinos share more than 100 anatomical features, including swiveling wrists, wishbone, and three forward-pointing toes.
 
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