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By Dino589
09/26/2010 - 02:59:10

Type: Creature
Rating: 0.09 (Not rated)
Tags: allosaur, becklespinax., carcharodontosaur, concavenator, dino589, spain, theropod, unusual

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Description

Concavenator corcovatus was a rather strange-looking carcharodontosaur recently described and unearthed in Spain. The name means "hump-backed hunter from Cuenca," in reference to the vertebrae just in front of the hips, which were largely extended into some form of projection which also continued on down the tail. This type of extension of the vertebrae is similar to what is seen in Acrocanthosaurus and spinosaurs, however, unlike them, is not continuous, making Concavenator look rather unusual. The purpose of this structure is unknown. Concavenator also possessed a series of knobs on the ulna, which the authors of the paper describing Concavenator attributed to quill knobs. If these knobs did indeed support quill-like structures, then that would indicate feathers and similar structures appeared earlier than previously thought, as they have never been found on any sort of allosaur. However, it is also possible the bumps served as tendon attachments in an intermuscular line, as seen in various other animals, and Concavenator should not be used as proof of feathered or quilly allosaurs until there is more evidence, but that is not to say Concavenator may not have sported some form of quilly structure. The only known specimen is very well-preserved, also featuring extensive scale impressions on various places on the body, including broad, rectangular scales on the underside of the tail and scutes on the legs and feet similar to what is seen in birds. The strange 'sail' on Concavenator is very similar to what is seen in the known vertebrae from Becklespinax, indicating the two animals were probably closely related, and possibly even synonymous.