Iani (named after Ianus) is an extinct genus of rhabdodontomorph iguanodontian dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous Cedar Mountain Formation of Utah, USA. I. smithi, the only species in the genus, is identified by a fragmentary skeleton that includes the skull. Its discovery establishes a connection between the Rhabdodontidae and the species Tenontosaurus, as both, along with Iani, belong to the clade Rhabdodontomorpha.
2014 saw the discovery of the Iani holotype specimen, NCSM 29373, in layers of the lower Mussentuchit Member of the Cedar Mountain Formation in Emery County, Utah, in the United States. A fairly entire, disarticulated skull, cervical, dorsal, sacral, and caudal vertebrae, ribs and haemal arches, partial pectoral and pelvic girdles, and the right arm and leg make up the specimen's partial skeleton. Based on these fossil remains, Zanno et al. identified Iani smithi as a new genus and species of rhabdodontomorph iguanodontian in 2023. In reference to the shifting biota of the era, the generic name "Iani" makes reference to Ianus, the Roman god of transitions. The particular name "smithi" is in recognition of Joshua Aaron Smith's contributions to paleontology.
Toys[]
Jurassic World: Rebirth[]
Iani has been confirmed to appear in the toyline edition of Jurassic World: Rebirth under its full scientific name: Iani smithi. This is not only the first time it has appeared in the Jurassic Park franchise, as well as a toy, but this will be its first media appearance.
