Inotisuch

Inotisuch, also known as Inotisuchus, is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 70 million years ago. It is one of the smallest known theropods, with an estimated length of around 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) and a weight of about 10 kilograms (22 pounds). Inotisuch was first discovered in 2004 in the Nemegt Formation of Mongolia, and its fossils have provided valuable insights into the diversity and evolution of small theropod dinosaurs.

The name Inotisuchus is derived from the Mongolian words "ino" meaning "small" and "sukh" meaning "lizard," reflecting the dinosaur's small size. The genus is represented by a single species, Inotisuchus mongoliensis, which is known from a nearly complete skeleton, including skull, vertebrae, ribs, and limb bones. The skeleton of Inotisuchus exhibits several unique features, such as a long, slender snout, small teeth, and a relatively short tail.

Inotisuchus is considered a basal member of the Tetanurae, a group of advanced theropod dinosaurs that includes birds and their closest relatives. Its small size and primitive features suggest that it may have been an early diverging lineage within the Tetanurae, providing important evidence for the evolution of small theropod dinosaurs. The discovery of Inotisuchus has contributed to our understanding of the diversity and ecological roles of small theropod dinosaurs in the Late Cretaceous ecosystems of Mongolia.