Noasauridae

Noasauridae is a family of small to medium-sized theropod dinosaurs belonging to the clade Noasauria within Abelisauroidea, a subgroup of Ceratosauria. The group is known from the Cretaceous period of Gondwana, with fossils found in South America (notably Argentina), Africa, Madagascar, and Brazil. Noasaurids are generally considered carnivorous and are characterized by their relatively small size compared to other abelisauroids, though the exact proportions vary among taxa.

Notable members include Noasaurus leali from Argentina and Masiakasaurus knopfleri from Madagascar, with Vespersaurus paranaensis from Brazil also described as a member of the group. Some noasaurids display distinctive dentition; for example, Masiakasaurus has procumbent anterior teeth that project forward from the jaw, a feature that sets it apart from many other theropods. Fossils are often fragmentary, and reconstruction of their appearance and ecology relies on limited remains for several taxa.

Phylogenetically, Noasauridae is placed within Noasauria, a part of Abelisauroidea. The exact relationships of noasaurids within Abelisauroidea have been debated, with different analyses proposing various positions as a basal lineage of Abelisauroidea or as part of a broader Noasauria grouping. Ongoing discoveries continue to refine the composition and evolutionary history of the group.

Ecology and paleobiology remain topics of study, but noasaurids are generally viewed as small predators occupying niches in Gondwanan ecosystems during the Cretaceous. Their geographic distribution and skeletal diversity contribute to understanding the broader evolution of abelisauroids and their spread across southern landmasses.