Pronunciation: en-ig-ma-cur-suh
Meaning: Enigmatic Runner
Author/s: Maidment and Barrett (2025)
Synonyms: None known
First Discovery: Colorado, USA
Discovery Chart Position: #1172
Enigmacursor mollyborthwickae
[Molly Borthwick's Enigmatic Runner]
Etymology
Enigmacursor is derived from "Enigma" (a puzzle or mystery, in reference to the convoluted taxonomic history of small-bodied ornithischians from the Morrison Formation) and the Latin "cursor" (runner).
The species epithet, mollyborthwickae,
honours Molly Borthwick, whose generous donation allowed the NHMUK to acquire the specimen.
Discovery
The remains of Enigmacursor were discovered in the Morrison Formation on the land of Skull Creek Estates, Moffat County, Colorado, USA, in 2021.
The holotype (NHMUK PV R 39000),
excavated by Dinosaurs of America LLC in 2021?22, acquired by David Aaron Ltd of London, and purchased by the NHMUK in 2024, is a partial skeleton that includes three teeth, vertebrae (three neck, eleven back, two hip and five tail), ten ribs, five chevrons, a right sternum, both shoulder blades, both arms, three hand bones, a partial pelvic girdle, both legs, a right ankle joint and both feet.
