Itemirus

Itemirus is an enigmatic theropod dinosaur discovered in the Kyzylkum Desert of Uzbekistan within the Late Cretaceous Bissekty Formation. Named by Sergei Kurzanov in 1976, the genus is anchored on a single, extraordinarily well-preserved braincase. Although originally classified within its own unique family or allied with tyrannosauroids, more recent phylogenetic studies generally interpret Itemirus as an early, derived dromaeosaurid. Based on proportions of related raptors, it may have reached between one and a half and two and a half metres in total length. CT scans of the brain cavity reveal highly developed semicircular canals and acoustic lobes, indicating superb balance, rapid agility, and sharp hearing. In life, Itemirus would have been an agile, feathered carnivore stalking the lush delta plains and coastal forests of Turonian Central Asia.

Known primarily from a braincase, its inner ear morphology reveals it possessed exceptionally keen hearing and balance.

Where and when

Itemirus lived in the Late Cretaceous, from 92 to 89.8 million years ago (Turonian age). Its remains come from Uzbekistan, in the Bissekty Formation.

The numbers

Length 2 m (estimates run from 1.5 to 2.5 m). Mass about 23 kg. Hip height about 0.7 m. That is 1.2 human-lengths, or 0.18 of a double-decker bus. These are estimates from fragmentary remains; fields marked estimated by the site are length, mass, first ma, last ma, hip height.

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