Ahvaytum
Ahvaytum ( ; ) is an extinct genus of probable basal sauropodomorph saurischian dinosaurs from the Late Triassic Popo Agie Formation of Wyoming, United States. The genus contains a single species, A. bahndooiveche, known from fragmentary hindlimb bones. Ahvaytum represents the oldest known named dinosaur of the ancient Laurasian landmass.
Article
5 sectionsContents
- Discovery and naming
- Description
- Classification
- Paleoenvironment
- References
Ahvaytum ( ; ) is an extinct genus of probable basal sauropodomorph saurischian dinosaurs from the Late Triassic Popo Agie Formation of Wyoming, United States. The genus contains a single species, A. bahndooiveche, known from fragmentary hindlimb bones. Ahvaytum represents the oldest known named dinosaur of the ancient Laurasian landmass.
== Discovery and naming == The Ahvaytum fossil material was discovered in 2013 in outcrops of the lower Popo Agie Formation (Garrett's Surprise locality) in west-central Wyoming, United States. The holotype specimen, UWGM 1975, is an isolated left astragalus. Specimen UWGM 7549, a partial left femur (proximal end) was referred to Ahvaytum since it was found within a radius of the holotype and its anatomy is consistent with saurischians.