Arcovenator was a type of dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 76 to 66 million years ago, primarily in what is now France and possibly Spain. Its name means “Arc hunter,” referring to the river Arc where its remains were discovered.
The only known species of this dinosaur is Arcovenator escotae. It was a member of the Abelisauridae family, which includes other theropods known for their distinct characteristics.
Arcovenator was estimated to be about 16 to 20 feet long. It had a unique skull with some interesting features. For example, it had a small hole on its head that might have held the pineal gland. This gland is known to play a role in regulating sleep and other functions in modern animals.
The dinosaur also had tall, slightly curved teeth, which were about 3 to 5.5 cm long, with tiny serrations for catching and tearing its food.
Arcovenator was similar in many ways to another dinosaur called Majungasaurus. However, it had some different features, such as its heavier lower jaw and the shape of the bones behind its eyes.
The fossils of Arcovenator were found in a region known as Aix-en-Provence in southeastern France, which used to be a warm, wet area with rivers and lakes. The sediments where the fossils were located contained many other creatures, such as turtles, crocodiles, and other dinosaurs.
Researchers believe that Arcovenator lived on an island that consisted of parts of modern-day France, Spain, and Portugal. This area had a variety of habitats that supported many different kinds of animals.
The name of this dinosaur honors the motorway company Escota, which helped fund the excavation where the fossils were found. Overall, Arcovenator is an exciting example of the diverse dinosaurs that roamed the Earth millions of years ago!