Koleken is known from only theholotypeMPEF-PV 10826 which was initially found and reported in 2015,[2] but was not described asK. inakayali until 2024. The holotype, consists of "closely associated (but disarticulated) remains of the skull and atlas, as well as the articulated postcranial skeleton composed of the posterior most eight dorsal vertebrae, a complete sacrum, eight caudal vertebrae, an almost complete pelvis and hind limbs". It differs from the largerCarnotaurus in anatomical characteristics found in the skull, vertebrae, and leg bones. The specimen likewise is believed to represent a sub-adult based on a lack of fusion in some of the bones.[1]
The generic name,Koleken, is a name inTeushen spoken by the native population of centralPatagonia that means "coming from clay and water", given the specimen was found in a sedimentary section dominated byclaystone representing anestuarine environment. The specific name,inakayali, honoursInakayal, one of the last chiefs ofTehuelches, native people from central Patagonia.[1]
^José Patricio O'Gorman (2020). "First record ofKawanectes lafquenianum (Plesiosauria, Elasmosauridae) from the La Colonia Formation of Argentina, with comments on the mandibular morphology of elasmosaurids".Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology.44 (1):176–193.Bibcode:2020Alch...44..176P.doi:10.1080/03115518.2019.1687754.S2CID213090343.
^Forasiepi, Analía M.; Coria, Rodolfo A.; Hurum, Jørn; Currie, Philip J. (1 December 2012). "First Dryolestoid (Mammalia, Dryolestoidea, Meridiolestida) from the Coniacian of Patagonia and New Evidence on their Early Radiation in South America".Ameghiniana.49 (4): 497.doi:10.5710/AMGH.8.8.2012.581.S2CID129208347.
^Gurovich, Y.; Beck, R. (2009). "The phylogenetic affinities of the enigmatic mammalian clade Gondwanatheria".Journal of Mammalian Evolution.16 (1):25–49.doi:10.1007/s10914-008-9097-3.S2CID42799370.
^Lawver, Daniel R.; Debee, Aj M.; Clarke, Julia A.; Rougier, Guillermo W. (1 January 2011). "A New Enantiornithine Bird from the Upper Cretaceous La Colonia Formation of Patagonia, Argentina".Annals of Carnegie Museum.80 (1):35–42.doi:10.2992/007.080.0104.S2CID85015365.
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