Pronunciation: nuh-rell-RAP-tuh
Meaning: Norell's plunderer
Author/s: Wang et al. (2026)
Synonyms: None known
First Discovery: Liaoning, China
Acta Ordinal: #1251
Norellraptor barsboldi
(Norell and Barsbold's Plunderer)Etymology
Norellraptor is derived from "norell" (for American palaeontologist Mark Allen Norell—1957-2025) and the Latin "raptor" (plunderer, robber, thief).
The species epithet, barsboldi, refers to Mongolian palaeontologist Rinchen Barsbold (1935-2025).
Together, the name honours the exceptional contributions by Barsbold and Norell to the study of bird-like dinosaurs.
Discovery
The name-bearing specimen of Norellraptor was found by a local farmer (who requested to remain anonymous) in the Jiufotang Formation near Lamadong Town, Jianchang County, western Liaoning, China, and donated to the museum of Hebei GEO University in 2023.
The holotype (130108-MHGU-F4281) is a complete and exquisitely-preserved microraptorine skeleton, 57-cm long, with some plumage imprints.
Preparators
Yannan Ji (Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China), Yichuan Liu (China University of Geosciences, Beijing, China),
Yang Wang (Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China).
