Ī collection of features which characterize noasaurids in particular has been compiled by Rauhut & Carrano (2016), who included controversial taxa such as Deltadromeus and the elaphrosaurines within Noasauridae. Noasaurids varied in size, from the small Velocisaurus which was under 5 feet (1.5 meters) long, to much larger genera such as Elaphrosaurus and Deltadromeus, which were more than 20 feet (6.2 meters) in length. Noasaurids were also nimble and lightly built, with feet showing adaptations for running such as a long central foot bone (metatarsal III). Some genera such as Limusaurus did have somewhat reduced arms and hands, but far from the extent that abelisaurids acquired. Although by no means as large or specialized as the arms of advanced bird-like theropods, noasaurid arms were nevertheless capable of movement and use, possibly even for hunting in large-clawed genera such as Noasaurus. Noasaurids had longer arms than their relatives the abelisaurids, whose arms were tiny and diminished. Ī skull diagram of Masiakasaurus, the most complete and well-known noasaurine Noasauridae is defined as all theropods closer to Noasaurus than to Carnotaurus. Some are considered to have had cursorial habits. At least some noasaurids had pneumatised cervical vertebrae. The most complete and well known elaphrosaurine was Limusaurus inextricabilis. Elaphrosaurines developed toothless jaws and herbivorous diets, at least as adults. Another group, Elaphrosaurinae, has also been placed within Noasauridae by some studies. The most complete and well-known example of these kinds of noasaurids was Masiakasaurus knopfleri from Madagascar. 'Traditional' noasaurids, sometimes grouped in the subfamily Noasaurinae, had sharp teeth which splayed outwards from a downturned lower jaw. Their heads, on the other hand, had unusual adaptations depending on the subfamily. They were closely related to the short-armed abelisaurids, although most noasaurids had much more traditional body types generally similar to other theropods. Noasauridae is an extinct family of theropod dinosaurs belonging to the group Ceratosauria.
Reconstructed skeleton of Masiakasaurus knopfleri, Royal Ontario Museum
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