.8" Triassic, Theropod Dinosaur (Coelophysis) Vertebra - Arizona

This is the vertebra of a small, Triassic theropod of the genus Coelophysis. The specimen was collected near Tucumcari, New Mexico. There is very little restoration on this well preserved vertebra; only a couple small crack repairs to improve the integrity of these delicate bones.

Coelophysis was a small, slenderly-built, ground-dwelling, bipedal, carnivorous theropod that could grow up to about 10 feet in length. It is one of the earliest known dinosaur genera.