Masiakasaurus

Masiakasaurus is a genus of small theropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar. It is classified as a member of Noasauridae, a group of small ceratosaurs within Ceratosauria. The genus is known from remains discovered in the Maevarano Formation and described in 2001. The holotype comprises a partial skull and skeleton, making it one of the more completely known noasaurids from Gondwana.

The name Masiakasaurus combines a Malagasy-rooted element with the Greek for lizard, and the genus is particularly notable for its distinctive dentition. The jaws house forward-projecting, procumbent teeth in the front of the mouth, with other teeth showing specialization relative to typical theropods. This unusual dentition suggests a specialized feeding strategy, possibly prey on small animals or organisms in crevices.

The animal was small, reaching about 1.5 meters in length, with a light, agile build suited to active predation. Phylogenetically, Masiakasaurus is placed within Noasauridae, together with other small Malagasy theropods, helping illustrate the diversity of predatory dinosaurs in Gondwana during the Late Cretaceous.

In its ecosystem, Masiakasaurus coexisted with larger theropods and a variety of other contemporary fauna, reflecting Madagascar’s ancient ecosystems and the range of predatory niches occupied by dinosaurs on the island. Its peculiar teeth remain a focal point for discussions of feeding adaptations among early ceratosaurs.