Lepidus praecisio was named by Nesbitt and Ezcurra (2015) [Lepidus praecisio gen. et sp. nov. possesses an autapomorphically well-developed posterior pyramidal process on the astragalus that delimits the posterolateral margin of the tibial facet and the posteromedial portion of the facet of the fibula, and is separated from the proximal surface of the calcaneum by a shallow notch that opens dorsolaterally. Additionally, Le. praecisio shares the following combination of plesiomorphic and synapomorphic character states with Neotheropoda (character enumeration follows that of Nesbitt et al. 2009b and Ezcurra and Brusatte 2011): fused astragalus and calcaneum (283-1); low anterior ascending process of the astragalus (273-1); calcaneum mediolaterally compressed (291-1); proximodistally extended ridge on the posteromedial surface of the tibia (256-1); distinct scar on the anterior surface of the distal end of the tibia (333-1). Furthermore, Le. praecisio can be differentiated from other Upper Triassic North American theropods by other features beyond the autapomorphies listed above. Lepidus praecisio is differentiated from Camposaurus arizonensis by the lack of an oval depression (= medial fossa of Ezcurra and Brusatte 2011) on the medial surface of the astragalus. Lepidus praecisio is differentiated from Coelophysis bauri, the “Padian Coelophysis” (UCMP 129618), and Chindesaurus bryansmalli by the less laterally expanded posterolateral process (= lateral malleolus) of the distal end of the tibia. Lepidus praecisio is differentiated from Tawa hallae by the presence of a proximodistally oriented ridge on the posteromedial surface of the tibia.]. Its type specimen is TMM 41936-1.3, a limb element (articulated distal ends of the left tibia and fibula and a left astragalocalcaneum), and it is a 3D body fossil. Its type locality is Dockum Site 7 General (TMM -41936), which is in a Norian terrestrial mudstone in Texas.