Alwalkeria

Alwalkeria (/ˌælwɔːˈkɪəriə/; "for Alick Walker") is a historically problematic extinct genus of avemetatarsalian known from the Late Triassic Lower Maleri Formation of India. The genus contains a single species, Alwalkeria maleriensis. It was initially described in 1987 under the genus name 'Walkeria', based on a partial skull, several vertebrae, and fragmentary hindlimb bones. As this name is preoccupied, the new genus Alwalkeria was proposed to replace it. Early research interpreted the material belonging to a 'podokesaurid' (coelophysoid) theropod, herrerasaur, or Eoraptor-like basal eusaurischian dinosaur. Subsequent work recognized the chimaeric status of the fossils referred to this species, as they belong to multiple unrelated taxa. Some of the bones may belong to a dinosaur, and the skull is likely from a pseudosuchian. A 2025 study suggested lagerpetid affinities for the femora, though this was deemed unlikely by a subsequent review, which regarded A. maleriensis as a member of Pan-Aves (Avemetatarsalia) of uncertain placement.