Xunmenglong

Xunmenglong is a genus of compsognathid theropod dinosaur from the Huajiying Formation of Hebei Province, China. The type and only species is Xunmenglong yinliangis. The holotype material consists of a pelvis, tail base and hindlimbs that had previously been part of a chimera containing three different animals. The animal is described as being the smallest known member of Compsognathidae, being about the size of the sub-adult Scipionyx holotype specimen, or approximately in length.

Classification

In the original description, Xunmenglong is recovered as a compsognathid in a polytomy including Compsognathus, Huaxiagnathus, and Juravenator. However, Andrea Cau recovered Xunmenglong not as a compsognathid, but instead as a basal member of Tetanurae.