Laevisuchus

Laevisuchus is known from only a few neck and back vertebrae, and one of these was lost for many years before being rediscovered in 2012.1

Its name means 'light crocodile' because its bones were light and hollow, like a bird's.1

Scientists once thought Laevisuchus was a coelurosaur, but now they place it in the group Noasauridae, which includes other small, slender theropods.1

Laevisuchus lived about 72 to 66 million years ago, during the Maastrichtian stage of the Late Cretaceous.2

A dinosaur once called Jubbulpuria tenuis is now thought to be the same animal as Laevisuchus.1

Its neck bones have special air holes (pneumatopores) that made the skeleton lighter.1