Kurupi
Kurupi (KOO-roo-pee; “Kurupi,” after the Guaraní god of fertility) is a genus of abelisaurid theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 70 to 66 million years ago, in what is now Brazil. The genus name refers to Kurupi, a deity in Guaraní mythology associated with sexuality and fertility; the paleontologists chose this name partly because the fossils were discovered near a location colloquially known by locals as a “love motel.” Kurupi was scientifically described in 2021 based on a few fossilized bones, including parts of its pelvis and tail, found in the Marília Formation of the Bauru Group in São Paulo State.
Description and Classification
Kurupi was a bipedal, carnivorous dinosaur belonging to the Abelisauridae family. This family of theropods, which includes well-known dinosaurs like Carnotaurus and Abelisaurus, typically had very short, stubby arms, a short, deep skull, and powerful hind legs adapted for running. Although a complete skeleton of Kurupi has not been found, scientists estimate it was about 5 meters (16 feet) long. Its classification as an abelisaurid is based on the features of its preserved pelvic bones and three tail vertebrae, which show characteristics unique to this group of Southern Hemisphere predators. These bones distinguish Kurupi as a separate genus.
Distinguishing Features
Even though relatively few bones of Kurupi have been discovered, they show features that make it distinct from other abelisaurids:
- The shape and muscle attachment points on its caudal (tail) vertebrae are unique.
- Specific characteristics of its ischium (part of the pelvis) also differ from those of related abelisaurids.
- These features suggest that Kurupi had a strong and likely very muscular tail, which would have helped with balance, especially if it was a fast runner.
- Like other abelisaurids, it was likely built for speed and agility to hunt prey.
Paleoenvironment and Diet
Kurupi lived in an area of southeastern Brazil during the Maastrichtian age, the very end of the Cretaceous period. The fossils were found in rocks of the Marília Formation, which indicate a semi-arid environment with distinct wet and dry seasons. This ancient landscape likely featured rivers, floodplains, and open woodlands. Kurupi shared this environment with other animals, including large titanosaurian sauropods (long-necked plant-eaters), other theropods, and various types of crocodylomorphs (crocodile relatives). As an abelisaurid, Kurupi was a carnivore, preying on other dinosaurs and vertebrates it could catch in its habitat.
Significance and Ongoing Research
The discovery of Kurupi is important because it increases our understanding of abelisaurid diversity in South America, especially in Brazil, just before the asteroid impact that led to the extinction of non-avian dinosaurs. It shows that these predators were still evolving and diversifying in the final stages of the Mesozoic Era. The distinct anatomical details of Kurupi‘s bones provide valuable data for comparing it with other abelisaurids from Gondwana, such as Viavenator from Argentina, helping scientists map out their evolutionary relationships and geographic distribution. Future fossil discoveries of Kurupi would be very valuable, and paleontologists hope to find more complete remains to learn more about its full appearance, lifestyle, and its role in the Late Cretaceous ecosystem of Brazil.