Maleriraptor kuttyi

Maleriraptor kuttyi is an early herrerasaurian dinosaur from the Late Triassic (early Norian) of India. It is known from the Upper Maleri Formation of the Pranhita-Godavari Basin, a geologically significant region for understanding the early diversification of dinosaurs in Gondwana. The genus name refers to the Maleri Formation and the Latin raptor (“thief”), a common suffix for predatory dinosaurs, while the species name honors the late T. S. Kutty, who discovered the specimen.

This species is important because it bridges a temporal and geographic gap between the South American herrerasaurids of the Carnian (e.g. Herrerasaurus) and later herrerasaurs from North America and Europe, showing that the clade survived in Gondwana after the extinction of rhynchosaurs.

Location

The fossil was found about 1 km south of Annaram village, in south-central India.

Physical Characteristics

Maleriraptor kuttyi is known from a partial skeleton (holotype ISIR 282) comprising sacral and caudal vertebrae, an ilium, and both pubes. No cranial or limb material has been recovered, making size estimates tentative. Based on comparison with South American herrerasaurids like Staurikosaurus and Herrerasaurus, it likely reached a body length of 3–4 meters (10–13 feet) and an estimated mass of 100–250 kg (220–550 lbs).

Diagnostic features include:

• Ilium with a very short postacetabular process (less than 60% of the pubic-ischiadic length)
• Absence of a brevis fossa on the ilium, a trait shared with other herrerasaurians
• Pubis strongly ventrally directed with minimal distal expansion (i.e. lacking a “pubic boot”)
• Distinctive posterior caudal vertebrae with low neural spines and zygapophyses angled at ~45°
• Caudosacral vertebra longer than sacral vertebrae—unlike in other herrerasaurids

These traits distinguish Maleriraptor from other early saurischians and place it within – but outside of – the core South American Herrerasauridae clade.

Diet and Feeding Habits

As a herrerasaurian, Maleriraptor kuttyi was carnivorous, likely preying on small reptiles, amphibians, or early archosaurs. Though its skull and dentition are unknown, the robust pelvic structure and caudal vertebrae suggest an active, bipedal predator with a strong, muscular tail used for balance.

Habitat and Distribution

Maleriraptor kuttyi lived in what is now the Pranhita-Godavari Basin of India during the early Norian (ca. 225–222 million years ago). At the time, this region was part of Gondwana and characterized by fluvial floodplains and ephemeral lakes – habitats that supported early sauropodomorphs, other archosaurs, and possibly relict rhynchosaurs.

The Upper Maleri Formation is especially significant because it captures a critical ecological transition after the extinction of hyperodapedontine rhynchosaurs and before the dominance of sauropodomorphs.

Behavior and Social Structure

There is no direct evidence for behavior, but Maleriraptor was likely solitary or a facultative pack-hunter like other herrerasaurians. Its anatomy suggests agility and a powerful stride, suitable for ambush or pursuit of small prey. The ventrally oriented pubis indicates a body adapted for fast, forward locomotion, with large hindlimb muscles anchored to the pelvis.

Discovery and Research

The specimen (ISIR 282) was discovered over 40 years ago, but only formally described in 2025 by Ezcurra et al. It had previously been tentatively assigned to an indeterminate dinosauriform. Its reassessment and naming as Maleriraptor kuttyi followed detailed morphological and phylogenetic analyses comparing it to early saurischians across Pangaea.

It was found to lie within Herrerasauria, but outside the South American family Herrerasauridae, showing a broader and more persistent global distribution of the clade than previously assumed.

Significance and Notable Facts

• First confirmed herrerasaur from India.
• Extends the temporal range of herrerasaurs beyond the Carnian into the Norian of Gondwana.
• Shows that Herrerasauria survived the global extinction of rhynchosaurs, unlike previously thought.
• Lacks a “pubic boot”, unlike all other known herrerasaurs—suggesting this trait evolved independently in other lineages.
• Fills a key gap between South American and North American herrerasaurian faunas.

Conclusion

Maleriraptor kuttyi provides critical new data on the early evolutionary history and biogeography of predatory dinosaurs. Its anatomy confirms that herrerasaurs persisted into the Norian in Gondwana, challenging the idea that they were geographically and temporally restricted to South America. Though incomplete, the unique morphology of Maleriraptor helps illuminate the early radiation of saurischians and their adaptation to post-rhynchosaur extinction ecosystems in the Late Triassic.