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Description

Day 14 of Dinovember 2021

At first glance one would mistake this creature for an ornithomimosaur or a similar coelurosaur, considering its toothless beak, long neck and slender built. However, Limusaurus is a ceratosaur, the first major group to branch off from the theropod tree. As several well preserved fossils from different age groups were found it is clear that juveniles still had teeth, and they only lost them in adulthood. This feature is unique among reptiles. Additionally gastroliths have also been found along with Limusaurus remains, the presence of which is usually (but not always) a herbivorous trait. Not unique among theropods in general, but certainly among ceratosaurs.

Like many (all?) ceratosaurs Limusaurus had four-fingered hands, but it's fourth finger was greatly reduced. Whic actually has implications on our understanding of the evolution of bird wings, which I won't get into here (it's a rather technical story).

In drawing this animal I decided to emphasize its ceratosauricity (is that even a word lol it is now) so no feathers this time, even though dinofuzz would not be unthinkable on a creature like this.

Digital sketch, Cintiq and CSP.

Description

Day 14 of Dinovember 2021

At first glance one would mistake this creature for an ornithomimosaur or a similar coelurosaur, considering its toothless beak, long neck and slender built. However, Limusaurus is a ceratosaur, the first major group to branch off from the theropod tree. As several well preserved fossils from different age groups were found it is clear that juveniles still had teeth, and they only lost them in adulthood. This feature is unique among reptiles. Additionally gastroliths have also been found along with Limusaurus remains, the presence of which is usually (but not always) a herbivorous trait. Not unique among theropods in general, but certainly among ceratosaurs.

Like many (all?) ceratosaurs Limusaurus had four-fingered hands, but it's fourth finger was greatly reduced. Whic actually has implications on our understanding of the evolution of bird wings, which I won't get into here (it's a rather technical story).

In drawing this animal I decided to emphasize its ceratosauricity (is that even a word lol it is now) so no feathers this time, even though dinofuzz would not be unthinkable on a creature like this.

Digital sketch, Cintiq and CSP.