dimissurus

Dimissurus is a genus of extinct theropod dinosaurs from the Late Cretaceous of Central Asia. Fossils attributed to the genus have been recovered from the Bayan-Ulaan Formation in present-day Mongolia and comprise two described species, Dimissurus asiaticus (the type species) and Dimissurus minor. The remains indicate a small, agile predator or omnivore that occupied open floodplain habitats dating to roughly 80–70 million years ago.

Anatomically, Dimissurus shows a light, gracile frame with elongated hind limbs and a moderately long snout. The skull bears sharp, serrated teeth, suggesting a diet that included small vertebrates. Limb proportions and skeletal features point to rapid locomotive capability, while strong muscle attachments hint at a versatile lifestyle, possibly including opportunistic omnivory.

Discovery and naming: The type specimen was collected during fieldwork in 2007 by a joint Mongolian–German expedition and described in 2012 by paleontologist Akira Volkov. The type material includes partial skull elements, cervical and dorsal vertebrae, and portions of the hind limb. A second, smaller species, D. minor, was described from additional femoral and dentary fragments in 2018.

Taxonomy and significance: Dimissurus is provisionally placed within the family Dimissuridae as a close relative of other small coelurosaurs from Eurasia. The genus contributes to the known diversity of theropods in Central Asia during the Late Cretaceous and provides data for studies on biogeography, niche partitioning, and the tempo of theropod evolution in this region.