What does the genus name *Xenotarsosaurus* translate to?
Answer
Strange-ankle lizard
The genus name *Xenotarsosaurus* was deliberately chosen by the describing scientists because it carries a specific meaning derived from Greek elements that directly reference a key anatomical feature. The translation is approximately 'strange-ankle lizard.' This naming convention highlights the unusual morphology observed in the tarsus—the collection of bones that constitute the ankle joint connecting the lower leg structure to the foot. This distinctive feature immediately separated this abelisaurid from other large theropods known at the time of its formal description, making the ankle structure a crucial identifier for the entire lineage.
Related Questions
What does the genus name *Xenotarsosaurus* translate to?In which geological unit were the remains defining *Xenotarsosaurus* unearthed?Which dinosaur family does *Xenotarsosaurus* firmly belong to?What evolutionary concept explains the apex predator role of Abelisaurids in isolated Gondwanan remnants?How do Abelisaurid skulls, including that of *Xenotarsosaurus*, generally compare to Tyrannosaurid skulls?Who is specifically honored by the specific epithet *bonapartei*?What unusual skeletal structure gave *Xenotarsosaurus* its descriptive genus name?What major geological event led to the geographic isolation favoring abelisaurid evolution?Compared to Tyrannosaurids, what characterizes the forelimbs of Abelisaurids like *Xenotarsosaurus*?What characteristic of the ancient Chubut environment might have influenced the specialized tarsus of *Xenotarsosaurus*?