Paleontologists have identified Xenovenator espinosai, a carnivorous dinosaur from 74 million years ago found in Coahuila, linking large and small carnivores in the area. This troodontid measured about 3 meters long and hunted in what was the Cerro del Pueblo formation. The discovery highlights Coahuila's rich paleontology, with 15 genera documented.
Xenovenator espinosai belonged to the troodontid family and lived during the Late Cretaceous, about 74 million years ago, in southeastern Coahuila. Its remains were found in the Cerro del Pueblo formation, a site that once formed part of the Tethys Sea coasts.
The discovery took place in 2000, when remains from three individuals were unearthed, including a well-preserved endocranial cast and cranial material revealing unique anatomical features. As an adult, it reached around 3 meters in length and weighed between 150 and 200 kilograms, serving as a carnivorous hunter in that environment.
Héctor Rivera Silva, head of the Paleontology Laboratory at the Saltillo Desert Museum, explained: “It reached around 3 meters long as an adult, despite around 150-200 kilos approximately, it was a carnivorous hunter of what was formerly the Cerro del Pueblo formation.”
This dinosaur stood out for its large brain relative to body size, developed senses, and serrated teeth that prevented prey from escaping. It had large, forward-facing eyes for excellent binocular vision, adapted to low light like an owl's. Additionally, its thickened skull likely contained keratin for ritual combats between males.
Rivera Silva added: “As a hunter, it had very good vision, its eyes were distributed forward to see the prey perfectly, but it also had very large eyes to handle low light well, probably like an owl or barn owl. Besides, it had this thickened skull shape, which was probably filled with keratin, like current birds, to engage in ritual combats or fights with other males.”
The name Xenovenator combines “xeno” for its unusual nature, “venator” for predator, and “espinosai” honoring Luis Espinosa, a pioneering Mexican paleontologist. Espinosa, director of the Geology Museum at UNAM, emphasized: “Knowing the past not only helps us recreate an interesting animal like this, but also helps us recognize natural resources. Understanding that current climate conditions can change very quickly.”
This find adds to the 15 paleontological genera in Coahuila, most from the Cerro del Pueblo formation, underscoring the region's importance for natural history.