Named By: | Rinchen Barsbold, James M. Clark & Mark Norell in 2001 |
Time Period: | Late Cretaceous, 84-75 Ma |
Location: | Mongolia - Djadochta Formation |
Size: | Approximately 3 meters long |
Diet: | unavailable |
Fossil(s): | Several well preserved specimens |
Classification: | | Chordata | Reptilia | Dinosauria | Saurischia | Theropoda | Oviraptoridae | |
Citipati (pronounced ['tSi:tIpati] in Hindi, meaning 'funeral pyre lord') is a genus of oviraptorid theropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous Period of what is now Mongolia (specifically, the Djadokhta Formation of Ukhaa Tolgod, in the Gobi Desert). It is one of the best-known oviraptorids, thanks to a number of well-preserved skeletons, including several specimens found in brooding positions atop nests of eggs. These nesting specimens have helped to solidify the link between non-avian dinosaurs and birds.
The type species, Citipati osmolskae, was described in 2001. A second, as yet unnamed species may also exist. Citipati is often confused with the similar Oviraptor.