What is Velocisaurus?
{{italictitle}} {{Taxobox | color = lightblue | name = ''Velocisaurus'' | fossil_range = [[Upper Cretaceous]] | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | classis = [[Sauropsida]] | superordo = [[Dinosaur]]ia | ordo = [[Saurischia]] | subordo = [[Theropoda]] | infraordo = [[Ceratosauria]] | familia = [[Noasauridae]] | genus = '''''Velocisaurus''''' | species = '''''V. unicus''''' | binomial = ''Velocisaurus unicus'' | binomial_authority = [[José Bonaparte|Bonaparte]], 1991}} '''''Velocisaurus''''' was a [[theropod]] [[dinosaur]] related to ''[[Ceratosaurus]]''. Its remains were found in [[Patagonia]], in [[strata]] from the [[Cretaceous]] period. This animal is known only from its leg and feet bones. ''Velocisaurus'' was probably around 1.2 meters long (4 ft). The foot is unique in that the middle (third) [[metatarsal]] (foot bone) was the main weight-bearing element. Its upper end has thickened and the shafts of the adjoining second and fourth metatarsals have thinned considerably. Such a condition is unknown for other theropods, including birds, but a similar set-up occurred in three-toed horses (like ''[[Mesohippus]]''). [[José Bonaparte]] explained it as an [[adaptation]] for a cursorial (running) lifestyle. He suggested that ''Velocisaurus'' was itself an omnivore, because the sole claw found, of the fourth toe, was not curved, but relatively straight.<ref> Angolín F. Novas F and S. Apesteguía S. 2003. Velocisaurids in South America and Madagascar. ''Ameghiniana'' '''40'''(4): 77R.</ref> == References == {{reflist}} [[Category:Ceratosaurs]] [[Category:Dinosaurs of South America]] [[Category:Cretaceous dinosaurs]]