Saturnalia tupiniquim is a type of dinosaur that lived during the Late Triassic period, around 233 million years ago. It was found in Brazil, particularly in the Santa Maria Formation in the southern part of the country. Saturnalia is one of the earliest known dinosaurs.
### Discovery
Fossils of Saturnalia were first collected in 1998 by a team from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul. These fossils were found at a location called Wald Sanga. The fossils were discovered during a festive time known as Carnival, which inspired the name “Saturnalia,” referencing a Roman festival.
In 1999, scientists Max Cardoso Langer and his team described Saturnalia tupiniquim based on three skeletons. The species name “tupiniquim” comes from a word used in Brazil that means something local to the country.
### Fossil Record
Saturnalia is known from well-preserved skeletons and remains from at least three other individuals. The main skeleton, called the holotype, consists of various bones, including parts of the spine, limbs, and a few other bones.
All known fossils of this dinosaur were found in one location, indicating that they lived in a specific area during their time.
### Physical Description
Saturnalia was a small dinosaur, likely reaching about 1.5 meters long, which is around 4.9 feet. It probably weighed between 4 to 11 kilograms, similar to a large dog. Its head was relatively small for its body size, measuring about 10 centimeters long.
Saturnalia had a moderately long neck with about nine or ten vertebrae.
### Classification
It is a challenge to classify Saturnalia because it has traits of both early dinosaurs known as sauropodomorphs (long-necked dinosaurs) and theropods (two-legged dinosaurs). Some researchers have placed it closer to theropods based on its physical features.
In more recent studies, scientists have suggested that Saturnalia belongs to a group that is early in the evolution of sauropodomorph dinosaurs. In 2010, a group called Saturnaliinae was created to include Saturnalia and its close relative, Chromogisaurus.
### Lifestyle and Ecology
Saturnalia was likely an omnivore or a carnivore, which means it probably ate both plants and small animals. Its small head and long neck could have helped it catch quick-moving prey like insects.
In its environment, Saturnalia may have faced threats from larger dinosaurs, such as Staurikosaurus. Another dinosaur, Buriolestes, was also around at the same time, and they may have occupied different roles in their habitat to reduce competition for food.
In summary, Saturnalia tupiniquim was an early dinosaur that gave us insights into the evolution of these fascinating creatures. It lived in a time much earlier than most well-known dinosaurs and played a role in the history of dinosaur life on Earth.