Open Paleo

Troodontinae

Gilmore, 1924 Type genus Troodon

Its genera lived 113.2–66.0 million years ago Early Cretaceous–Late Cretaceous
Early Cretaceous and Late Cretaceous stages

Troodontinae is a subfamily of troodontid dinosaurs, comprising the more derived members of the family that lived across North America and Asia during the Cretaceous. Troodontinae was named by van der Reest and Currie (2017), who define it as the most inclusive clade containing Gobivenator mongoliensis and Zanabazar junior. It unites genera such as Troodon, Saurornithoides, Zanabazar, Gobivenator, Stenonychosaurus, Latenivenatrix, Linhevenator, and Philovenator. Like other troodontids, these were small, bird-like maniraptorans with a retractable, sickle-clawed second toe and some of the largest brains known among dinosaurs, but troodontines include the biggest and most heavily encephalized members of the group. Their lower jaws are distinctively deep and deflected inward toward the midline, setting them apart from more primitive troodontids. The exact membership of the subfamily varies between phylogenetic analyses.

Diagnosis

  1. Anteromedially deflected dentary with a U-shaped symphysis
  2. Enlarged denticles on the dentary teeth
  3. Elongate ambiens process on the anterior margin of the iliopubic symphysis
  4. Large body size relative to other troodontids

Genera placed directly in Troodontinae

  • Albertavenator Evans et al., 2017 Campanian–Maastrichtian (83.6–66.0 Ma)Canadaunder dispute
  • Borogovia Osmólska, 1987 Maastrichtian (72.2–66.0 Ma)Mongoliaunder dispute
  • Byronosaurus Norell et al., 2000 Campanian (83.6–72.2 Ma)Mongoliaunder dispute
  • Dinevenator Disputed Jasinski & Sullivan, 2026 Campanian (83.6–72.2 Ma)United States
  • Gobivenator Tsuihiji et al., 2014 Campanian (83.6–72.2 Ma)Mongoliaunder dispute
  • Hypnovenator Kubota et al., 2024 Albian (113.2–100.5 Ma)Japanunder dispute
  • Latenivenatrix Disputed van der Reest & Currie, 2017 Campanian (83.6–72.2 Ma)Canada
  • Linhevenator Xu et al., 2011 Campanian (83.6–72.2 Ma)China
  • Philovenator Xu et al., 2012 Campanian (83.6–72.2 Ma)Chinaunder dispute
  • Saurornithoides Osborn, 1924 Campanian (83.6–72.2 Ma)Mongolia
  • Stenonychosaurus Disputed Sternberg, 1932 Campanian (83.6–72.2 Ma)Canada
  • Talos Zanno et al., 2011 Campanian (83.6–72.2 Ma)United Statesunder dispute
  • Troodon Disputed Leidy, 1856 Campanian (83.6–72.2 Ma)United States
  • Urbacodon Averianov & Sues, 2007 Cenomanian (100.5–93.9 Ma)Uzbekistanunder dispute
  • Xenovenator Rivera-Sylva et al., 2026 Campanian (83.6–72.2 Ma)Mexicounder dispute
  • Zanabazar Norell et al., 2009 Maastrichtian (72.2–66.0 Ma)Mongolia

References

  1. Gilmore, C. W. (1924). On Troodon validus, an orthopodous dinosaur from the Belly River Cretaceous of Alberta, Canada. Department of Geology, University of Alberta Bulletin 1: 1-43.

    Named Troodontidae, from which the subfamily name takes its authorship by coordination.

    gilmore1924c
  2. van der Reest, A. J.; Currie, P. J. (2017). Troodontids (Theropoda) from the Dinosaur Park Formation, Alberta, with a description of a unique new taxon: implications for deinonychosaur diversity in North America. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 54(9): 919-935. doi:10.1139/cjes-2017-0031

    First proposed the name at subfamily rank and supplied its diagnosis and phylogenetic definition.

    vanderreest2017a