# Genusaurus

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Extinct genus of dinosaurs

Genusaurus Temporal range: Early Cretaceous, 106 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Clade: Dinosauria Clade: Saurischia Clade: Theropoda Superfamily: †Abelisauroidea Family: †Abelisauridae Genus: †Genusaurus Accarie et al., 1995 Species: †G. sisteronis Binomial name †Genusaurus sisteronis Accarie et al., 1995

***Genusaurus*** ([/ˌdʒɛnjʊˈsɔːrəs/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English) [*JEN-yuu-SOR-əs*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Pronunciation_respelling_key);[1] meaning "knee lizard") is a [genus](/source/Genus) of [abelisaurid](/source/Abelisaurid) [theropod](/source/Theropod) from the [Early Cretaceous](/source/Early_Cretaceous). Its [fossils](/source/Fossils) were found in [France](/source/France). *Genusaurus* is believed to have lived during the [Albian](/source/Albian) [stage](/source/Stage_(stratigraphy)), around 112-100 million years ago.[2][3]

## Description

*Genusaurus* possesses several distinguishing traits. The dorsal vertebrae are elongated. The elements of the pelvis are strongly fused. The thighbone shows a low bone plateau below the major trochanter; to the front an accessory trochanter is present. The [epicondyle](/source/Epicondyle) of the inner femoral condyle is well-developed. The cnemial crest strongly extends to the front and is curved upwards. The fibula has a distinctive boss serving as an attachment for the *[Musculus iliofibularis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Musculus_iliofibularis&action=edit&redlink=1)*. The upper inner side of the fibula is strongly hollowed out.[4]

### Size

*Genusaurus* was originally estimated to have been 3.16 metres (10.4 ft) long. From the 38 centimetres (15 in) thighbone, a weight of 129.6 kilograms (286 lb) was extrapolated.[4] Later estimates, while confirming the length of 3 metres (9.8 ft),[2] have reduced the weight to 50 kilograms (110 lb),[5] or even 35 kilograms (77 lb).[6] In 2016, its length was estimated at 3.6 metres (12 ft), making it among the smallest known abelisaurids.[7]

## Discovery and naming

The [type species](/source/Type_species), *Genusaurus sisteronis*, is the only named species. It is based on a partial [skeleton](/source/Skeleton) found in 1984-1986 in the Albian [Bevons Beds](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bevons_Beds&action=edit&redlink=1), [holotype](/source/Holotype) **MNHN Bev.1**. The holotype contains seven partial dorsal vertebrae, a piece of a sacral, a piece of an ilium, the top of a [pubic bone](/source/Pubic_bone), a thighbone, the top of a shinbone, the top of a fibula and a [metatarsal](/source/Metatarsal). It was named and described by [Hugues Accarie](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hugues_Accarie&action=edit&redlink=1), [Bernard Beaudoin](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bernard_Beaudoin&action=edit&redlink=1), [Jean Dejax](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jean_Dejax&action=edit&redlink=1), [Gérard Friès](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=G%C3%A9rard_Fri%C3%A8s&action=edit&redlink=1), [Jean-Guy Michard](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jean-Guy_Michard&action=edit&redlink=1) and [Philippe Taquet](/source/Philippe_Taquet) in 1995.[4] The genus name is derived from the Latin word *genu* (knee) and refers to the [cnemial crest](/source/Cnemial_crest) in front of the proximal end of the [tibia](/source/Tibia).[4] The [specific name](/source/Specific_name_(zoology)) refers to [Sisteron](/source/Sisteron), the town near which the specimen was found.[4]

## Classification

Accarie *et al.* assigned *Genusaurus* to the [ceratosaur](/source/Ceratosaur) group of [theropods](/source/Theropods), more precisely to the [Coelophysoidea](/source/Coelophysoidea).[4] A 2008 [cladistic](/source/Cladistics) analysis by Carrano and [Sampson](/source/Scott_D._Sampson) placed *Genusaurus* in the [Noasauridae](/source/Noasauridae) along with *[Laevisuchus](/source/Laevisuchus)*, *[Masiakasaurus](/source/Masiakasaurus)*, *[Noasaurus](/source/Noasaurus)*, and *[Velocisaurus](/source/Velocisaurus)*; in turn, noasaurids are part of the [Abelisauroidea](/source/Abelisauroidea) group, which is part of the ceratosaur group.[3] Subsequent phylogenetic analyses found *Genusaurus* to be either a member of the [Noasauridae](/source/Noasauridae) or [Abelisauridae](/source/Abelisauridae).[8][9][10] In 2025, [Eric Buffetaut](/source/Eric_Buffetaut) reexamined the holotype and suggested that it should be placed into [Furileusauria](/source/Furileusauria).[11]

## See also

- [Dinosaurs portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Dinosaurs)

- [Timeline of ceratosaur research](/source/Timeline_of_ceratosaur_research)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Creisler, Ben (July 7, 2003). ["Dinosauria Translation and Pronunciation Guide G"](https://web.archive.org/web/20101225025659/http://dinosauria.com/dml/names/dinog.htm). Archived from [the original](http://dinosauria.com/dml/names/dinog.htm) on December 25, 2010. Retrieved December 7, 2012.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Holtz_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Holtz_2-1) [Holtz, Thomas R. Jr.](/source/Thomas_R._Holtz%2C_Jr.) (2007). [*Dinosaurs: The Most Complete, Up-to-Date Encyclopedia for Dinosaur Lovers of All Ages*](/source/Dinosaurs_(2007_book)). New York: Random House. [Genus list "last updated August 1, 2008"](http://www.geol.umd.edu/~tholtz/dinoappendix/DinoappendixSummer2008.pdf). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-375-82419-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-375-82419-7).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Carrano07_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Carrano07_3-1) Carrano, Matthew T.; Sampson, Scott D. (2007). ["The Phylogeny of Ceratosauria (Dinosauria: Theropoda)"](http://si-pddr.si.edu/dspace/bitstream/10088/7641/1/paleo_Carrano_Sampson_08a.pdf) (PDF). *Journal of Systematic Palaeontology*. **6** (2): 183–236. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1017/S1477201907002246](https://doi.org/10.1017%2FS1477201907002246). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [30068953](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:30068953).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Accarie95_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Accarie95_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Accarie95_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Accarie95_4-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Accarie95_4-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Accarie95_4-5) Accarie, H., B. Beaudoin, J. Dejax, G. Fries, J.C. Michard, and P. Taquet (1995). "Découverte d'un Dinosaure théropode nouveau (*Genusaurus sisteronis n. g., n. sp*.) dans l'Albien marin de Sisteron (Alpes de Haute-Provence, France) et extension au Crétacé inférieur de la lignée cératosaurienne". *Compte rendu hebdomadaire des scéances de l'Académie des Sciences à Paris*. **320** (2): 327-334 [Translation into English.](http://paleoglot.net/files/Accarie_94.doc)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Montague_5-0)** Montague, J. R. (2006). "Estimates of body size and geological time of origin for 612 dinosaur genera (Saurischia, Ornithischia)". *Florida Scientist*. **69** (4): 243–257.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Paul, G.S., 2010, *The Princeton Field Guide to Dinosaurs*, Princeton University Press p. 78

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Grillo, O. N.; Delcourt, R. (2016). "Allometry and body length of abelisauroid theropods: *Pycnonemosaurus nevesi* is the new king". *Cretaceous Research*. **69**: 71–89. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2017CrRes..69...71G](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2017CrRes..69...71G). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.cretres.2016.09.001](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.cretres.2016.09.001).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Wang, S.; Stiegler, J.; Amiot, R.; Wang, X.; Du, G.-H.; Clark, J.M.; Xu, X. (2017). ["Extreme Ontogenetic Changes in a Ceratosaurian Theropod"](http://www.cell.com/current-biology/pdf/S0960-9822(16)31269-6.pdf) (PDF). *Current Biology*. **27** (1): 144–148. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2017CBio...27..144W](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2017CBio...27..144W). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.cub.2016.10.043](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.cub.2016.10.043). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [28017609](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28017609).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-filippi_9-0)** Leonardo S. Filippi; Ariel H. Méndez; Rubén D. Juárez Valieri; Alberto C. Garrido (2016). "A new brachyrostran with hypertrophied axial structures reveals an unexpected radiation of latest Cretaceous abelisaurids". *Cretaceous Research*. **61**: 209–219. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2016CrRes..61..209F](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2016CrRes..61..209F). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.cretres.2015.12.018](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.cretres.2015.12.018). [hdl](/source/Hdl_(identifier)):[11336/149906](https://hdl.handle.net/11336%2F149906).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Baiano, M. A.; Coria, R.; Chiappe, L. M.; Zurriaguz, V.; Coria, L. (2023). ["Osteology of the axial skeleton of *Aucasaurus garridoi*: phylogenetic and paleobiological inferences"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10655716). *PeerJ*. **11**. e16236. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.7717/peerj.16236](https://doi.org/10.7717%2Fpeerj.16236). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [10655716](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10655716). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [38025666](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38025666).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Buffetaut, E. (2025). ["Furileusaurian osteological characters in *Genusaurus sisteronis* Accarie et al., 1995, an abelisaurid dinosaur from the Albian (Lower Cretaceous) of south-eastern France"](https://carnetsnatures.fr/volume12/Genusaurus%20sisteronis_Buffetaut-CN20025.pdf) (PDF). *Carnets natures*. **12**: 79–88.

## External links

- ["Our Exhibitions: *Genusaurus sisteronis*" (in French)](http://www.resgeol04.org/genusaurus.html) at the Réserve Naturelle Géologique de Haute-[Provence](/source/Provence), France.

v t e Theropoda Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Sauropsida Clade: Avemetatarsalia Clade: Dinosauria Avemetatarsalia see Avemetatarsalia Theropoda see below↓ Theropoda Theropoda Anteavis Chindesaurus? Daemonosaurus? Eodromaeus? Erythrovenator Guaibasaurus? Nhandumirim? Tawa? Herrerasauria? Neotheropoda Dilophosaurus Dolichosuchus? Dracovenator Gojirasaurus Lepidus Liliensternus Lophostropheus Newtonsaurus Notatesseraeraptor Sarcosaurus Shuangbaisaurus Sinosaurus Tachiraptor Velocipes? Zupaysaurus Coelophysoidea Dracoraptor? Newtonsaurus? Panguraptor Pendraig Podokesaurus Powellvenator Coelophysidae Camposaurus Coelophysis Lucianovenator Megapnosaurus? Panguraptor? Procompsognathus Pterospondylus? Segisaurus Averostra see below↓ Dubious neotheropods Teinurosaurus Halticosaurus Averostra Averostra Dornraptor Lophostropheus? Ceratosauria Berberosaurus Camarillasaurus? Dandakosaurus? Fosterovenator Ostafrikasaurus? Saltriovenator Sarcosaurus? Spinostropheus? Neoceratosauria Ceratosauridae Ceratosaurus Genyodectes Abelisauroidea Bahariasaurus? Betasuchus Dahalokely Deltadromeus? Eoabelisaurus? Genusaurus Gualicho? Ligabueino Noasauridae Afromimus? Austrocheirus? Berthasaura Compsosuchus? Dahalokely? Genusaurus? Kiyacursor Ligabueino Spinostropheus Elaphrosaurinae Elaphrosaurus Huinculsaurus Limusaurus Noasaurinae Laevisuchus Masiakasaurus Noasaurus Velocisaurus Vespersaurus Abelisauridae Chenanisaurus Dryptosauroides? Eoabelisaurus Indosuchus Kryptops Kurupi Rugops Spectrovenator Tarascosaurus Tralkasaurus Vitosaura Xenotarsosaurus Majungasaurinae Arcovenator Dahalokely? Genusaurus Indosaurus Majungasaurus Rahiolisaurus? Rajasaurus Carnotaurinae Majungasaurinae? Brachyrostra Dahalokely? Ekrixinatosaurus Elemgasem Guemesia Ilokelesia Llukalkan Niebla Rahiolisaurus? Skorpiovenator Thanos Furileusauria Abelisaurus Aucasaurus Caletodraco Carnotaurus Elemgasem? Koleken Pycnonemosaurus Quilmesaurus Viavenator Tetanurae see below↓ Tetanurae Tetanurae Calamospondylus? Chienkosaurus? Chilesaurus? Chuandongocoelurus Cruxicheiros? Cryolophosaurus Kaijiangosaurus Kayentavenator Monolophosaurus Pandoravenator Sinosaurus? Szechuanosaurus Vectaerovenator Orionides Megalosauroidea Yunyangosaurus Piatnitzkysauridae Condorraptor Marshosaurus Piatnitzkysaurus Xuanhanosaurus? Megalosauria Streptospondylus? Megalosauridae Eustreptospondylus Megalosaurinae Duriavenator Megalosaurus Torvosaurus Wiehenvenator Afrovenatorinae Afrovenator Dubreuillosaurus Leshansaurus Magnosaurus Piveteausaurus Poekilopleuron? Spinosauridae Camarillasaurus? Cristatusaurus Iberospinus Ostafrikasaurus? Baryonychinae Baryonyx Protathlitis Riojavenatrix Suchosaurus? Vallibonavenatrix? Ceratosuchopsini Ceratosuchops Eocarcharia? Riparovenator Suchomimus Spinosaurinae Camarillasaurus? Ichthyovenator Irritator Oxalaia Siamosaurus Spinosaurini Sigilmassasaurus Spinosaurus Avetheropoda see below↓ Avetheropoda Avetheropoda Gasosaurus? Lourinhanosaurus? Carnosauria Altispinax Monolophosaurus? Megalosauridae? Spinosauridae? Allosauroidea Asfaltovenator Erectopus Xuanhanosaurus? Piatnitzkysauridae? Metriacanthosauridae Xuanhanosaurus? Yangchuanosaurus Yuanmouraptor Metriacanthosaurinae Alpkarakush Metriacanthosaurus Shidaisaurus Siamotyrannus Sinraptor Allosauria Allosauridae Allosaurus Antrodemus? Epanterias? Saurophaganax? Carcharodontosauria Datanglong Lusovenator Siamraptor Siats? Veterupristisaurus Neovenatoridae Chilantaisaurus? Gualicho? Neovenator Siats? Megaraptora? Carcharodontosauridae Acrocanthosaurus Altispinax? Concavenator Eocarcharia? Kelmayisaurus Lajasvenator Sauroniops Shaochilong Tameryraptor Ulughbegsaurus Veterupristisaurus Carcharodontosaurinae Carcharodontosaurus Giganotosaurini Giganotosaurus Mapusaurus Meraxes Taurovenator Tyrannotitan Megaraptora? Aoniraptor Bahariasaurus? Fukuiraptor Phuwiangvenator Rapator Siats? Chilantaisaurus? Megaraptoridae Aerosteon Australovenator Joaquinraptor Maip Megaraptor Murusraptor Orkoraptor Tratayenia Coelurosauria see below↓ Coelurosauria Coelurosauria Aratasaurus Asiamericana Bicentenaria Chilantaisaurus? Gualicho? Richardoestesia Sciurumimus? Vayuraptor Xinjiangovenator Zuolong Tyrannoraptora Tyrannosauroidea Chingkankousaurus Labocania? Coeluridae? Coelurus Tanycolagreus? Proceratosauridae Guanlong Kileskus Proceratosaurus Sinotyrannus Yutyrannus Pantyrannosauria Alectrosaurus Aviatyrannis Bagaraatan? Dilong Eotyrannus Jinbeisaurus Juratyrant Khankhuuluu Moros Santanaraptor Stokesosaurus Suskityrannus Timimus? Timurlengia Xiongguanlong Megaraptora? Eutyrannosauria Appalachiosaurus Bistahieversor? Dryptosaurus Nanotyrannus Tyrannosauridae Albertosaurinae Albertosaurus Gorgosaurus Tyrannosaurinae Asiatyrannus Nanuqsaurus Alioramini Alioramus Qianzhousaurus Daspletosaurini Daspletosaurus Thanatotheristes Teratophoneini Bistahieversor? Dynamoterror Labocania? Lythronax Teratophoneus Tyrannosaurini Tarbosaurus Tyrannosaurus Zhuchengtyrannus Maniraptoromorpha see below↓ Dubious coelurosaurs Iliosuchus Kakuru Phaedrolosaurus Shanyangosaurus Maniraptoromorpha Maniraptoromorpha Coelurus? Juravenator Ornitholestes Neocoelurosauria Aniksosaurus Compsognathidae Aniksosaurus? Aristosuchus Beipiaognathus? Compsognathus Huaxiagnathus? Mirischia? Scipionyx? Sinocalliopteryx? Sinosauropteryx? Xunmenglong Sinosauropterygidae? Huadanosaurus Huaxiagnathus Mirischia Sinocalliopteryx Sinosauropteryx Compsognathidae? Ornithomimosauria Arkansaurus Aviatyrannis? Calamosaurus? Hexing Kinnareemimus Nedcolbertia Nqwebasaurus Thecocoelurus? Valdoraptor Macrocheiriformes Harpymimus Pelecanimimus Shenzhousaurus Deinocheiridae Beishanlong Deinocheirus Garudimimus Harpymimus? Paraxenisaurus? Tyrannomimus Ornithomimidae Aepyornithomimus Anserimimus Archaeornithomimus "Coelosaurus" Dromiceiomimus Dzharacursor Gallimimus Mexidracon Ornithomimus Qiupalong Rativates Sinornithomimus Struthiomimus Tototlmimus Maniraptora see Maniraptora includes birds

Taxon identifiers Genusaurus Wikidata: Q18915968 Wikispecies: Genusaurus EoL: 4533730 GBIF: 4821856 Open Tree of Life: 4128598 Paleobiology Database: 56391

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Genusaurus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genusaurus) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genusaurus?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.