Willinakaqe is a type of dinosaur that lived a long time ago, during the Upper Cretaceous period. This time frame is known as Campanian to Maastrichtian and it took place around 70 to 66 million years ago.
Willinakaqe was found in Río Negro Province, located in southern Argentina. It belongs to a group called hadrosaurids, which are often known as “duck-billed dinosaurs” because of their distinctive faces that resemble ducks.
### Discovery and Naming
Willinakaqe was named in 2010 by a group of paleontologists, including Rubén D. Juárez Valieri. The name “Willinakaqe” comes from the Mapuche language and means “Southern duck-mimic.” The specific species, named Willinakaqe salitralensis, references a location called the Salitral.
Fossils of Willinakaqe include both juvenile and adult remains. These fossils were discovered at a site called the Salitral Moreno, part of the Allen Formation. The main fossil, called the holotype, is a part of the dinosaur’s mouth called the premaxilla.
Some scientists have questioned whether the fossils actually belong to one dinosaur species or if they represent multiple species. A review in 2016 suggested that these fossils might not provide enough clear evidence to define Willinakaqe as a unique name in dinosaur classification.
### Classification and Features
Willinakaqe is classified under the family Hadrosauridae, which is part of a larger group called Ornithopoda.
Researchers have placed Willinakaqe in a subgroup of hadrosaurids known as Saurolophinae. This classification helps scientists understand how it relates to other similar dinosaurs.
### Summary
In summary, Willinakaqe is a fascinating dinosaur from the late Cretaceous period, known for its duck-like features. While its classification is still under review, it provides important insight into the diversity of dinosaurs that once roamed South America.