Troodontidae

Troodontids
Temporal range: Late Jurassic–Late Cretaceous
Collection of four troodontids, clockwise from top left: Mei, unnamed Alaskan troodontid, Jianianhualong, Sinovenator.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Dinosauria
Clade: Saurischia
Clade: Theropoda
Clade: Paraves
Family: Troodontidae
Gilmore, 1924
Type species
Troodon formosus
Leidy, 1856
Clade
Synonyms

Troodontidae /tr.əˈdɒntɪd/ is a clade of bird-like theropod dinosaurs from the Late Jurassic to Late Cretaceous. During most of the 20th century, troodontid fossils were few and incomplete and they have therefore been allied, at various times, with many dinosaurian lineages. More recent fossil discoveries of complete and articulated specimens (including specimens which preserve feathers, eggs, embryos, and complete juveniles), have helped to increase understanding about this group. Anatomical studies, particularly studies of the most primitive troodontids, like Sinovenator, demonstrate striking anatomical similarities with Archaeopteryx and primitive dromaeosaurids, and demonstrate that they are relatives comprising a clade called Paraves.

  1. ^ Lee, S.; Lee, Y.-N.; Park, J.-Y.; Kim, S.-H.; Badamkhatan, Z.; Idersaikhan, D.; Tsogtbaatar, K. (2024). "The first troodontid (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Upper Cretaceous Baruungoyot Formation of Mongolia". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. e2364746. doi:10.1080/02724634.2024.2364746.
  2. ^ Lefèvre, U.; Cau, A.; Cincotta, A.; Hu, D.; Chinsamy, A.; Escuillié, F.; Godefroit, P. (2017). "A new Jurassic theropod from China documents a transitional step in the macrostructure of feathers". The Science of Nature. 104 (74): 74. doi:10.1007/s00114-017-1496-y. PMID 28831510.
  3. ^ Kubota, K.; Kobayashi, Y.; Ikeda, T. (2024). "Early Cretaceous troodontine troodontid (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Ohyamashimo Formation of Japan reveals the early evolution of Troodontinae". Scientific Reports. 14. 16392. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-66815-2. PMC 11272788.