Variraptor

*Variraptor mechinorum*

**Variraptor mechinorum** is an extinct genus of Dromaeosaurid theropod that lived in France during the Late Cretaceous period around 70-65 million years ago. Not much else is known about this dinosaur.

## Discovery

Between 1992 and 1995 amateur paleontologists Patrick Méchin and Annie Méchin-Salessy uncovered the remains of a small theropod in the Grès à Reptiles Formation (Campanian-Maastrichtian) at La Bastide Neuve, near Fox-Amphoux. The first finds were in 1992 assigned to the dubious theropod genus *Elopteryx*. A second article, in 1997, concluded they represented a new species. In 1998 this was named by Jean Le Loeuff and Eric Buffetaut as the type species *Variraptor mechinorum*. The generic name is derived from Latin *Varus*, referring to the Var River in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence region of southern France, and *raptor* meaning "thief". The specific name honours the Méchin couple.

The genus is based on three type specimens: a posterior dorsal vertebra (MDE-D168), a sacrum (MDE-D169) with five fused vertebrae, and an ilium (CM-645). The specimens are part of the collection of the Musée des Dinosaures d'Espéraza and the private *Collection Méchin*. Additional referred material includes a right humerus (MDE-D158) with a well-developed deltopectoral crest, suggesting a raptorial function for the forearm. Other attributed bones include a femur and various vertebrae

## Description

The incomplete remains have dromaeosaurid features in the shape of the vertebrae and the humerus, with some resemblances to *Deinonychus*. An adult animal may have been slightly smaller than *Deinonychus* at around two meters (6.5 ft) long. However, the identity of the referred fossils has become uncertain.

## Classification

In 2000 Ronan Allain and Philippe Taquet named a second small theropod from the same layers: *Pyroraptor*. They also claimed that *Variraptor* was a *nomen dubium* because the type lacked any single diagnostic trait. Alan Turner and Peter Makovicky supported this conclusion in their 2012 review of dromaeosaurid systematics.

In 2009 Buffetaut and Phomphen Chanthasit defended the validity of *Variraptor*, arguing the type had a unique combination of traits. The lack of overlapping parts would make it impossible to establish whether *Pyroraptor* was a junior subjective synonym but the presence of two different types of ulna in the southern French dromaeosaurid material would indicate two separate species.

Le Loeuff and Buffetaut described *Variraptor* as a maniraptoran theropod, a member of the Dromaeosauridae, and this has been commonly accepted. However, in 2000 Oliver Rauhut was doubtful, assigning it to the more inclusive Coelurosauria.

The only time *Variraptor* has been included in a phylogenetic analysis was in a study describing the Troodontid *Hesperornithoides,* where it was recovered as the sister taxon of *Bambiraptor,* within an expanded Microraptoria. However, the authors of this study stated that a position within the Unenlagiidae was also possible, only requiring three extra steps in their matrix.

## JPInstitute.com Description

Variraptor is the first proof that the raptor family of dinosaurs lived in Europe. This was a swift hunter that seems to be related to North America?s Deinonychus North America and Europe were connected until about 110 m,y.a, which was about the middle of the Cretaceous Period. Scientists expect to find raptors in Europe that were similar to those that lived in North America.
The relationships and dispersal of the basal raptors has long been the topic of discussion. Some scientists feel that the raptor family originated in North America and spread to Asia and Europe. The discovery of Variraptor and Pyroraptor another European dromaeosaur, support the North American origination theory.

## Links

https://web.archive.org/web/20080706164101/http://kids.yahoo.com/dinosaurs/425--Variraptor