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Turkey-Like Dinosaur Found in Utah

A birdlike, meat-eating dinosaur that could have resembled a flightless turkey was discovered in Utah. Approximately 75 million years ago, this species roamed further south than previously thought, doubling the known range of oviraptors in North America.

Hagryphus giganteus, as it was named, means giant four-footed, birdlike god of the western desert.

The research findings of paleontologist Lindsay Zanno and Scott Sampson were presented in a recent issue of the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

Paleontologists Bugged by Entomologists

When an entomologist decided to rename a dinosaur in the scientific literature, he upset a number of paleontologists. Michael Ivie of Montana State University realized that a beetle found in 1869 had the name Syntarsus. That name was also given to a slim dinosaur several decades ago.

Under the rules of scientific nomenclature, Ivie was entitled to rename the dinosaur, since he and his colleagues were the ones who discovered the error. He selected Megapnosaurus, which means "big dead lizard."

Paleontologists were insulted by the inaccuracy of the name for a dinosaur that was only 4-1/2 feet tall. They were bugged that they had not been given a chance to rename the dinosaur.

Many scientists believe that the naming dinosaurs has gotten out of control. Latinized scientific names had been used for years, but now popular cultural influences have a foothold in the naming game.