Pronunciation: wah-KEEN-o-SOR-us
Meaning: Wakino lizard
Author/s: Okazaki (1992)
Synonyms: None known
First Discovery: Kyushu, Japan
Acta Ordinal: #375
Wakinosaurus satoi
Found in a river-bed-rock that was choc-a-bloc with fossilized freshwater gastropods and the odd turtle fragment, Wakinosaurus was named in 1992 by Ozaki on the strength of just a single tooth. Well, part of a single tooth. And even that part is damaged.
Apparently, it's blade-like, with fine serrations on both cutting edges, and—according to its author—is similar to those of Prodeinodon kwangshiensis, an equally dubious possible carnosaurian theropod from China. Coincidentally, Prodeinodon kwangshiensis is also based on diagnosis-dodging broken teeth, but at least there were four of them.
When complete, the sole remnant of Wakinosaurus would've been triangular in shape, possibly 7cm in length and just over 3cm wide at its base. It was originally described as the property of a megalosaurid, but it could conceivably belong to a neotheropod of any persuasion.
Apparently, it's blade-like, with fine serrations on both cutting edges, and—according to its author—is similar to those of Prodeinodon kwangshiensis, an equally dubious possible carnosaurian theropod from China. Coincidentally, Prodeinodon kwangshiensis is also based on diagnosis-dodging broken teeth, but at least there were four of them.
When complete, the sole remnant of Wakinosaurus would've been triangular in shape, possibly 7cm in length and just over 3cm wide at its base. It was originally described as the property of a megalosaurid, but it could conceivably belong to a neotheropod of any persuasion.
(Sato's Wakino lizard)Etymology
Wakinosaurus is derived from "Wakino" (for the sub-group in which it was discovered) and the Greek "sauros" (lizard).
The species epithet, satoi, honours Masahiro Sato, the discoverer of its remains.
Discovery
The remains of Wakinosaurus were discovered in the Sengoku Formation (Wakino Subgroup, Kwanmon Group) at Sengokukyo, Miyata-machi, Kurate Gun, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, by Masahiro Sato on February 9th, 1990.
The holotype (KMNH VP 000,016) is a single damaged tooth.
