Lageroluthiivora

Lageroluthiivora is a genus of small to medium-sized, herbivorous dinosaurs that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 75 million years ago. The genus is known from a single species, Lageroluthiivora hui, which was discovered in the Yixian Formation of northeastern China. The name Lageroluthiivora is derived from the Lagerstätte where it was found, the Yixian Formation, and the Greek words "luthios" meaning "soft" and "oura" meaning "tail," reflecting the soft, feather-like structures found on the tail of the specimen.

Lageroluthiivora hui is estimated to have been about 2.5 meters long and weighed around 15 kilograms. It is characterized by its small size, relatively long limbs, and a unique tail structure. The tail of Lageroluthiivora hui is distinctive, featuring a series of soft, feather-like structures that may have been used for display or communication. These structures are believed to have been composed of keratin, similar to the feathers of modern birds.

The discovery of Lageroluthiivora hui provides valuable insights into the diversity of small dinosaurs during the Late Cretaceous and the evolution of feathers and feather-like structures in theropod dinosaurs. Its small size and unique tail features make it an important addition to our understanding of dinosaur evolution and the origins of birds.