View source for Khaan

{{Short description|Extinct genus of dinosaurs}}
{{About|the dinosaur|the Mongol monarchy|Khagan|other uses|Khan (disambiguation)}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{speciesbox
| name = ''Khaan''
| fossil_range = [[Late Cretaceous]], {{fossil range|75|71}}
| image = Khaan.jpg
| image_caption = Holotype IGM 100/1127
| genus = Khaan
| species = mckennai
| display_parents = 3
| parent_authority = Clark, Norell & [[Rinchen Barsbold|Barsbold]], 2001
| authority = Clark, Norell, & Barsbold, 2001
}}

'''''Khaan''''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|ɑː|n}}; from Mongol {{IPA-mn|χaːŋ|}} 'lord') is an extinct genus of [[Oviraptoridae|oviraptorid]] [[dinosaur]] known from remains found in the [[Djadochta Formation]] of [[Mongolia]], dating to the [[Late Cretaceous]] ([[Campanian]], 75-71 [[million years ago]]).<ref>{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1671/0272-4634(2001)021[0209:TNOTOU]2.0.CO;2| title = Two new oviraptorids (Theropoda: Oviraptorosauria), Upper Cretaceous Djadokhta Formation, Ukhaa Tolgod, Mongolia| journal = Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology| volume = 21| issue = 2| pages = 209| year = 2001| last1 = Clark | first1 = J. M. | last2 = Norell | first2 = M. A. | last3 = Barsbold | first3 = R. | s2cid = 86076568}}</ref>

== Description ==
[[File:Khaan mckennai profile1.jpg|thumb|left|Artist's impression]]
''Khaan'' did not differ much from other oviraptorids. At first, its remains were assigned to "[[Ajancingenia|Ingenia]]", but the ''Khaan'' manual structure, lacking the expansion of the upper third [[metacarpal]], was considered to differ sufficiently from that of "Ingenia" for it to be assigned to its own genus.

The oviraptorid diet is disputed, with plants and molluscs having been suggested. Like other oviraptorids, ''Khaan'' was probably at least partially a meat eater, feeding on small [[vertebrate]]s like [[mammal]]s, [[lizard]]s and possibly other small dinosaurs. It was also probably feathered.

== Discovery ==
The [[type species]] ''Khaan mckennai'' was named by [[James M. Clark]] ''et al.'' in 2001. The genus name is derived from [[Mongol]] ''khaan'', "lord" or "ruler". The [[specific name (zoology)|specific name]] honours the [[paleontologist]] [[Malcolm Carnegie McKenna]].

The [[holotype]] IGM 100/1127 consists of an almost complete skeleton found together with another specimen, IGM 100/1002. Together they were informally referred to as "Romeo and Juliet". These individuals are about four feet long. A third, considerably larger, specimen, IGM 100/973, was referred to the species.

== Classification ==
[[File:Khaan Scale.svg|thumb|Size comparison with a human]]
[[File:Khaan skeletal Headden.jpg|thumb|Skeletal restoration]]
''Khaan'' was by Clark assigned to the [[Oviraptoridae]]. Among oviraptorids, it was probably more closely related to ''[[Conchoraptor]]''.

The [[cladogram]] below follows an analysis by Fanti ''et al.'', 2012.<ref name="fanti2012">{{cite journal | last1 = Fanti | first1 = F | last2 = Currie | first2 = PJ | last3 = Badamgarav | first3 = D | year = 2012 | title = New Specimens of ''Nemegtomaia'' from the Baruungoyot and Nemegt Formations (Late Cretaceous) of Mongolia | journal = PLOS ONE | volume = 7 | issue = 2| page = e31330 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0031330 | pmid=22347465 | pmc=3275628| bibcode = 2012PLoSO...731330F | doi-access = free }}</ref>

{{clade| style=font-size:90%;line-height:90%
|label1=[[Oviraptoridae]]
|1={{clade
   |1=''[[Oviraptor]]''
   |label2=<span style="color:white;">unnamed</span>
   |2={{clade
      |1=''[[Rinchenia]]''
      |2=''[[Citipati (dinosaur)|Citipati]]'' }}
   |label3=<span style="color:white;">unnamed</span>
   |3={{clade
      |1='''''Khaan'''''
      |label2=<span style="color:white;">unnamed</span>
      |2={{clade
         |1=''[[Conchoraptor]]''
         |label2=<span style="color:white;">unnamed</span>
         |2={{clade
            |1=''[[Machairasaurus]]''
            |label2= <span style="color:white;">unnamed</span>
            |2={{clade
               |1="Ingenia" (=''[[Ajancingenia]]'')
               |label2= <span style="color:white;">unnamed</span>
               |2={{clade
                  |1=''[[Nemegtomaia]]''
                  |2=''[[Heyuannia]]'' }} }} }} }} }} }} }} 

==Paleobiology== 
[[File:Khaan mckennai AMNH 29051 cast.jpg|thumb|left|Skull of referred specimen IGM 100/973]]
According to a 2014 study published in [[Nature (journal)|Nature]], ''Khaan'' was possibly [[sexually dimorphic]]. Two specimens, the holotype MPC-D 100/1127 and referred specimen MPC-D 100/1002, were analyzed, the dimorphic feature being in the anterior [[chevron (anatomy)|chevrons]]. Both specimens were of the same size and build, and thus were likely the same age, ruling out [[ontogeny]]. In MPC-D 100/1127, the anterior chevrons showed great similarity to those of other theropods, with no great expansion on the distal end. However, in the other individual, the chevrons had a "heel"-like expansion above the distal end, which increased in size along the sequence. The study ruled out a possibly pathologic explanation, finding sexual dimorphism to have more support. It was thought that the reduced spines were a female characteristic, because they would increase space for laying eggs. Also, the larger spines could be for male muscle attachments, which would support a tail fan.<ref name="personsetal14">{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1038/srep09472| title = A possible instance of sexual dimorphism in the tails of two oviraptorosaur dinosaurs| journal = Scientific Reports| volume = 5| pages = 9472| year = 2015| last1 = Iv | first1 = W. S. P. | last2 = Funston | first2 = G. F. | last3 = Currie | first3 = P. J. | last4 = Norell | first4 = M. A. | pmid=25824625 | pmc=4379468| bibcode = 2015NatSR...5E9472P}}</ref>

A 2022 study of the bite force of ''Khaan'' and comparisons with other oviraptorosaurs such as ''[[Incisivosaurus]]'', ''[[Citipati]]'', and ''[[Conchoraptor]]'' suggests that ''Khaan'' had a very strong bite force. The moderate jaw gape seen in oviraptorosaurs is indicative of herbivory in the majority of the group, but it is clear they were likely feeding on much tougher or more types of vegetation than other herbivorous theropods in their environment, such as ornithomimosaurs and therizinosaurs were able to. The examinations suggest oviraptorosaurs may have been powerful-biting generalists or specialists that partook of niche partitioning both in body size and cranial function.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Meade |first1=Luke E. |last2=Ma |first2=Waisum |title=Cranial muscle reconstructions quantify adaptation for high bite forces in Oviraptorosauria |journal=Scientific Reports |date=22 February 2022 |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=3010 |doi=10.1038/s41598-022-06910-4 |pmid=35194096 |doi-access=free |pmc=8863891 |bibcode=2022NatSR..12.3010M }}</ref> 

==See also==
{{Portal|Dinosaurs}}
* [[Timeline of oviraptorosaur research]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Oviraptorosauria}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q135295}}

[[Category:Late Cretaceous dinosaurs of Asia]]
[[Category:Djadochta fauna]]
[[Category:Oviraptorids]]
[[Category:Fossil taxa described in 2001]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Mark Norell]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Rinchen Barsbold]]