Caenagnathasia martinsoni

† Caenagnathasia martinsoni is the type species of Caenagnathasia, a small oviraptorosaurian theropod from the Bissekty Formation of Uzbekistan. Dating to the Late Cretaceous (Turonian age), it is one of the stratigraphically oldest caenagnathids known. Known from lower jaw fragments, this omnivorous dinosaur possessed a toothless beak for processing diverse food sources. Its Central Asian origin informs the early evolutionary history of caenagnathids relative to North American relatives.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivore

Caenagnathasia martinsoni had a varied diet that included both plants and animals. Omnivorous dinosaurs were versatile feeders, able to exploit multiple food sources, which gave them an advantage in changing environments.

Time Period

Cretaceous Late Mesozoic Era

Caenagnathasia martinsoni lived during the Cretaceous Late period of the Mesozoic Era, approximately 100.5 to 66.0 million years ago.

The final age of dinosaurs, featuring iconic species like Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, and Velociraptor. Dinosaurs reached their peak diversity before the catastrophic asteroid impact at the Chicxulub crater ended the Mesozoic Era.