Pronunciation: ay-OH-nee-RAP-tuhr
Meaning: Southern plunderer
Author/s: Motta et al. (2016)
Synonyms: None known
First Discovery: Río Negro, Argentina
Discovery Chart Position: #913
Aoniraptor libertatem
(Independant Southern Hunter)Etymology
Aoniraptor is derived from the Tehuelche word "Aoni" (south) and the Latin "raptor" (plunderer), referring to its discovery in South America. The species epithet, libertatem (meaning independence or freedom, in Latin), refers to the 1810 declaration of independence of Argentina from the Spanish government. Although described in 2016, the remains of Aoniraptor were discovered in 2010, which marked the 200th anniversary of this epic event.
Discovery
The remains of Aoniraptor were discovered in the Huincul Formation at Violante farm, southeast of the Ezequiel Ramos-Mexía lake, Río Negro province, Argentina, by Matías Motta in 2010.
The holotype (MPCA-Pv 804/1 to 804/25) consists of the last sacral (hip) vertebra, 10 caudal (tail) vertebrae, and 5 tail chevrons.
