Macrocollum itaquii

† Mononykus olecranus was a small alvarezsaurid theropod (~1m) from the Late Cretaceous Nemegt Formation of Mongolia. Its single large functional claw on each forelimb, with vestigial additional digits, is thought to have been used for breaking open insect nests like a modern aardvark.

Time Period

Triassic Late Mesozoic Era

Macrocollum itaquii 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.