Iyuku

Iyuku (meaning "hatchling", pronounced "eye-yoo-koo") is a genus of iguanodontian dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous Kirkwood Formation of South Africa. The type species is Iyuku raathi.

== Discovery and naming == Iykuku is known from a bonebed mostly containing the remains of at least 27 (inferred from non-overlapping parts of the left femora) juvenile and hatchling individuals, an occurrence never before reported. These bonebeds were excavated during three expeditions between 1995 and 1999. The remains were known as the "Kirkwood taxon" since at least 2012, until the remains were determined to represent a new genus and species in 2022, named Iyuku raathi. The holotype specimen, AM 6067, consists of an incomplete, semi-articulated skeleton, including a partial skull, vertebrae, scapulae, pelvic girdle, both legs, and ribs. The generic name "Iyuku", is derived from the Xhosa word for "hatchling", in reference to the immature status of the specimens. The specific name, "raathi", honors South African paleontologist Mike Raath.