Gasparinisaura Facts
Pronunciation: GAS-pah-ree-nee-SORE-ah
Name meaning: Gasparini's lizard
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 0.4m |
| Length | 1.2m |
| Weight | 5 kg |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Ornithopod |
| Location | Argentina |
Gasparinisaura was a small ornithopod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period in what is now Argentina. This diminutive herbivore measured only about 1.2 metres in length and stood approximately 40 centimetres tall at the hip, making it one of the smaller known ornithopods. Despite its small size, Gasparinisaura possessed the characteristic features of its group, including a plant-eating lifestyle and likely bipedal locomotion.
The dinosaur inhabited the ancient landscapes of South America around 83.6 million years ago, during a time when the continent was home to a diverse array of dinosaur species. Gasparinisaura would have been well-adapted to browsing on low-growing vegetation, using its specialised teeth to process plant material efficiently. Its small stature may have been an advantage in accessing food sources that larger herbivores couldn't reach.
Like other ornithopods, Gasparinisaura possessed cheek pouches that helped it process plant material more effectively, and its jaw structure suggests it could chew its food thoroughly before swallowing. This efficient processing of vegetation was crucial for extracting maximum nutrition from the available plant life in its Cretaceous environment.
The discovery of Gasparinisaura has provided valuable insights into the diversity of small ornithopods in South America during the Late Cretaceous, contributing to our understanding of how these dinosaurs evolved and adapted to different ecological niches across the ancient supercontinent of Gondwana.
What made Gasparinisaura distinctive?
Gasparinisaura was distinguished by its very small size compared to other ornithopods, measuring only 1.2 metres in length. It possessed the typical ornithopod features including specialised plant-processing teeth and likely cheek pouches for efficient herbivory.
Behaviour
Gasparinisaura likely moved on two legs when travelling quickly but may have dropped to all fours when feeding on low-growing vegetation. Its small size suggests it may have been quite agile, potentially using speed and manoeuvrability to avoid predators in its Cretaceous habitat.
Discovery
Gasparinisaura was first described by Rodolfo Coria and Leonardo Salgado in 1996. The original fossils were discovered at Cinco Saltos, Río Negro Province, Argentina.
Gasparinisaura FAQ
What did Gasparinisaura eat?
Gasparinisaura was a herbivore that fed on various plants available in
Late Cretaceous Argentina. Its specialised teeth and jaw structure suggest it could efficiently process tough plant material, likely browsing on ferns, cycads, and early flowering plants that grew close to the ground.
How big was Gasparinisaura?
Gasparinisaura was quite small, measuring about 1.2 metres in length and standing roughly 40 centimetres tall at the hip. It weighed approximately 5 kilograms, making it one of the smaller known ornithopod dinosaurs.
When did Gasparinisaura live?
Gasparinisaura lived during the
Late Cretaceous period, approximately 83.6 million years ago. This was during a time when dinosaurs were at their peak diversity, shortly before the mass extinction event that ended the age of dinosaurs.
Where was Gasparinisaura found?
Gasparinisaura fossils were discovered near the town of Cinco Saltos in Río Negro Province, Argentina. The first fossils were found in 1992, providing important evidence of small ornithopod diversity in South America during the Cretaceous.
How do you pronounce Gasparinisaura?
Gasparinisaura is pronounced 'GAS-pah-ree-nee-SORE-ah'. The name can be broken down into syllables: Gas-pa-ri-ni-saur-a, with emphasis on the final 'saur' sound meaning lizard.
What does Gasparinisaura mean?
Gasparinisaura means 'Gasparini's lizard', honouring Argentine palaeontologist Zulma Brandoni de Gasparini for her important contributions to South American palaeontology. The species name cincosaltensis refers to Cinco Saltos, where it was discovered.
How fast could Gasparinisaura run?
The exact running speed of Gasparinisaura is unknown, but its small size and bipedal build suggest it was likely quite agile and could move quickly when needed, perhaps to escape from predators in its
Late Cretaceous environment.
What type of dinosaur was Gasparinisaura?
Gasparinisaura was an ornithopod dinosaur, belonging to the group of herbivorous dinosaurs known for their plant-eating adaptations. Ornithopods were characterised by their specialised teeth for processing vegetation and often bipedal stance.
Was Gasparinisaura related to birds?
Gasparinisaura was not directly related to birds. As an ornithopod, it belonged to the ornithischian dinosaurs, whilst birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs in the saurischian group. However, all dinosaurs share common ancestry further back in their evolutionary history.
How many Gasparinisaura fossils have been found?
The fossil record of Gasparinisaura appears to be limited, with the original discovery in 1992 providing the primary evidence for this species. As with many smaller dinosaurs, complete fossils are relatively rare, making each discovery particularly valuable for understanding these ancient creatures.
