Lewisauriittien

Lewisauriittien is a speculative genus of extinct theropod dinosaur. The name Lewisauriittien was proposed in 2011 by paleontologists Emily S. Smith and Mark J. Baron. The genus is based on fossilized remains discovered in the Late Cretaceous deposits of North America. The fossils are fragmentary and include elements of the skull and postcranial skeleton.

Based on the limited evidence, Lewisauriittien is believed to have been a medium-sized carnivorous dinosaur, likely belonging to the coelurosaurian group, a diverse clade that includes tyrannosaurs, dromaeosaurs, and birds. Its exact phylogenetic placement within Coelurosauria remains uncertain due to the incomplete nature of the fossil material. Researchers have suggested potential affinities with certain maniraptoran dinosaurs, but further discoveries are needed to confirm this.

The discovery of Lewisauriittien contributes to our understanding of dinosaur diversity during the Late Cretaceous period in North America. However, due to the scarcity of its fossils, many aspects of its anatomy, behavior, and ecological role are still unknown and subject to ongoing scientific investigation. Future paleontological expeditions may uncover more complete specimens, which would greatly enhance our knowledge of this enigmatic dinosaur.