alphynix:Is it a six-foot turkey? No, it’s Dakotaraptor!Living at the very end of the Cretaceous (~6
alphynix:Is it a six-foot turkey? No, it’s Dakotaraptor!Living at the very end of the Cretaceous (~66 mya) in South Dakota, USA, this was one of the largest “raptors”, estimated to have measured about 5-6m long (16′4″ - 19′8″). Although it was closely related to other famous giant dromaeosaurs like Utahraptor, its large size seems to be the result of convergent evolution.Quill knobs on its arm bones confirm the presence of large pennaceous wing feathers in giant raptors, although it was much too large to be capable of flight. Two different size morphs were also found amongst the fossil remains of several individuals – larger heavily-built “robust” forms and smaller lightly-built “gracile” ones – all of which appear to have been fully mature adults. This may represent sexual dimorphism, although it’s unclear which morph might have been which. -- source link