"Its body size was similar to that of a chicken – albeit a carnivorous one – with many small teeth, large eyes, and other notable differences. Like chickens, it likely had feathers, something scientists infer from its evolutionary history and its place in the phylogenetic tree. It stood less than 40 centimeters tall, measured 70 centimeters in length (more than half of which was its tail), weighed about one kilogram, and lived 95 million years ago in a desert landscape where it fed on small vertebrates."
"This animal was most likely female. Researchers infer this because it would have laid eggs that left calcium deposits in the fossil's bone tissue. Paleontologist Peter Makovicky, from the University of Minnesota, the lead author of the study, clarifies that they cannot be completely certain, since there is a possibility – albeit small – that the buildup was caused by a pathology."
"In addition, its vision and hearing may have been as sharp as those of owls, according to previous studies on alvarezsaurids, the superfamily to which this fossil – the most complete skeleton of its kind ever found in South America – belongs."
Alnashetri cerropoliciensis represents one of the smallest nonavian theropods ever discovered, with only two known specimens worldwide. The second specimen, found at La Buitrera in Argentina's Rio Negro province, is the first complete skeleton of this species. Standing less than 40 centimeters tall and weighing approximately one kilogram, this chicken-sized carnivore measured 70 centimeters in length, with more than half comprising its tail. It possessed many small teeth, large eyes, and likely had feathers based on evolutionary history. Living 95 million years ago in a desert landscape, it hunted small vertebrates. Evidence suggests the specimen was female, indicated by calcium deposits in bone tissue from egg-laying, though pathology cannot be completely ruled out. Its sensory capabilities, particularly vision and hearing, may have rivaled those of owls.
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