Draconyx

Draconyx is a genus of ornithopod dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 150 to 145 million years ago. Its fossils have been discovered in Portugal. Draconyx is classified within the clade Iguanodontia, and is considered a relatively basal member of this group.

The name Draconyx is derived from the Latin words "draco" (dragon) and "onyx" (claw), referring to the large, robust claw found on its thumb. The type species is Draconyx loureiroi.

Draconyx was a medium-sized herbivore, estimated to have reached a length of around 3 meters. It possessed features characteristic of ornithopods, including a horny beak for cropping vegetation and teeth designed for grinding plant matter. Its skeletal structure indicates that it was likely bipedal, although it may have occasionally moved on all fours.

The discovery of Draconyx provides valuable insights into the evolution and diversification of ornithopod dinosaurs during the Late Jurassic period in Europe. It contributes to our understanding of the paleobiogeography and faunal composition of the region during that time. Further research on Draconyx and related species is ongoing, aiming to clarify its precise phylogenetic position and ecological role.