Chindesaurus bryansmalli

† The type species of Chindesaurus, C. bryansmalli was recovered from the Chinle Formation of Arizona and named in honor of paleontologist Bryan Small. A slender, lightly built early dinosaur or close dinosaur relative from the Late Triassic, it provides insight into the faunal composition of Pangaean ecosystems during the Triassic-Jurassic transition.

Time Period

Triassic Late Mesozoic Era

Chindesaurus bryansmalli lived during the Triassic Late period of the Mesozoic Era, approximately 237.0 to 201.4 million years ago.

The first true dinosaurs appeared during the late Triassic, including early theropods like Eoraptor and Herrerasaurus. Dinosaurs were still small and not yet dominant. The period ended with the Triassic-Jurassic extinction event.