Tarascosaurus is an interesting dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 80 to 66 million years ago. It was discovered in France and belongs to a group of dinosaurs known as theropods, which are carnivorous dinosaurs with hollow bones and three-toed limbs.
Tarascosaurus was a relatively small dinosaur, measuring about 2.5 to 3 meters long, which is around 8.2 to 9.8 feet. The name “Tarascosaurus” means “Tarasque lizard,” and it is inspired by a monster from local folklore in the Occitan and Spanish cultures.
The first discovery of a bone from Tarascosaurus happened in 1988 when a paleontologist found an upper jaw bone near a place called Pourcieux. As more fossils were studied, it was concluded that many larger theropods found in Europe at that time were likely related to the Abelisauridae family, to which Tarascosaurus belongs.
In 1991, two researchers named Éric Buffetaut and Jean Le Loeuff fully described Tarascosaurus. They based their description on bones found in the Fuvelian Beds, dating back to an early part of the Campanian stage. The main bone they used for identification was the upper part of a thigh bone, known as a femur.
Since its discovery, Tarascosaurus has had some debates about its classification. At one point, scientists suggested it might not have enough unique features to be considered a separate species. However, later studies confirmed it as a distinct member of the Abelisauridae family with its own characteristics.
Overall, Tarascosaurus is a fascinating example of the diversity of dinosaurs that once roamed the Earth. It gives us insight into the types of carnivorous dinosaurs that existed in Europe during the Late Cretaceous period.