Skeletal diagram featuring the size and known elements from the holotype of the large dromaeosaurid <i>Achillobator giganticus</i>. Being a member of the largest dromaeosaurids ever (<i>Austroraptor</i>, <i>Dakotaraptor</i> and <i>Utahraptor</i>), its remains were discovered in Burkhant, Mongolia, from the Bayan Shireh Formation in 1989, and later described in 1999; however, in a very obscure and preliminar paper.<sup id="cite_ref-Perle1999_1-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Perle1999-1">[1]</a></sup><p>The holotype of <i>Achillobator</i>, <b>MNUFR-15</b>, is fragmentary, consisting of a left maxilla preserving nine teeth and two alveoli, four cervical vertebrae, three dorsal vertebrae and eight caudal vertebrae, a nearly complete pelvic girdle compromising both pubis, right illium and right ischium, both femur and left tibia, left metatarsals III and IV, manual and pedal phalanges with some unguals, right scapulocoracoid, an isolated radius, two ribs and caudal chevrons. Traces of tail tendons were found too, but mostly isolated.<sup id="cite_ref-Perle1999_1-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Perle1999-1">[1]</a></sup> Although fragmentary, it is more complete than the respective holotypes of <i>Austroraptor</i>, <i>Dakotaraptor</i> and <i>Utahraptor</i>.
</p><p>It was found as an associated, but overall disarticulated individual, however, it is known that some elements were found in semi-articulation<sup id="cite_ref-Turner2012_2-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Turner2012-2">[2]</a></sup>, refuting a chimera hypotesis, as proposed by Burnham et al. 2000.<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-3">[3]</a></sup> The missing elements were restored after close relatives like <i>Utahraptor</i>, <i>Saurornitholestes</i>, <i>Dromaeosaurus</i> and <i>Deinonychus</i>. Most estimates give <i>Achillobator</i> 5 to 6 m (16.4 to 19.7 ft)<sup id="cite_ref-Perle1999_1-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Perle1999-1">[1]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-Turner2012_2-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Turner2012-2">[2]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-4">[4]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-5">[5]</a></sup>, in this case, the axial length ended up in 5 m (16 ft).
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<h4><span class="mw-headline" id="Color_Key">Color Key</span></h4>
<ul><li><span style="line-height:1.7;padding:0 .6em;margin-right:-1px;border:1px solid #808080;background: #FFFFFF" title="#FFFFFF"> </span> Preserved</li>
<li><span style="line-height:1.7;padding:0 .6em;margin-right:-1px;border:1px solid #808080;background: #777777" title="#777777"> </span> Restored</li></ul>
<a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:PaleoNeolitic" title="User:PaleoNeolitic">PaleoNeolitic</a>
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<span class="int-own-work" lang="en">Own work</span>