Open Paleo

Pectinodon

Carpenter, 1982 pec-tin-o-don Disputed

From Latin pecten ('comb') and Greek odon (ὀδών, 'tooth'), meaning 'comb tooth', referring to the comb-like serrations on the rear edge of its teeth

72.2–66.0 million years ago Maastrichtian, Late Cretaceous
Late Cretaceous stages

Pectinodon is a genus of troodontid theropod dinosaurs from the end of the Maastrichtian age of the Late Cretaceous period (66 mya). It currently contains a single valid species, Pectinodon bakkeri (sometimes classified as Troodon bakkeri), known only from teeth.

Under dispute

Pectinodon bakkeri is a tooth-based troodontid taxon from the Lance and Hell Creek formations. Its describers placed it in the old family Saurornithoididae (= Troodontidae); it is treated as a valid but tooth-based taxon by some (Larson and Currie, 2013) and as a nomen dubium by others, possibly synonymous with Troodon. It is placed at Troodontidae incertae sedis.

Diagnosis

  1. Crowns of teeth strongly compressed laterally and recurved
  2. Anterior margin without serrations, denticles, or sharp translucent keel
  3. Posterior margin with large serrations having translucent edges, largest in middle
  4. Crown tip directed posteriorly, almost parallel to crown base
  5. Serrations perpendicular to vertical axis of tooth
  6. First definitive serration occurs immediately below crown tip, not significantly smaller than crown tip

Species

Pectinodon bakkeri Carpenter, 1982 Disputed

Type species

Named for Robert Thomas Bakker, the paleontologist honored by Kenneth Carpenter when the species was named in 1982.

Holotype
UCM 38445 , University of Colorado Museum of Natural History
Material
Holotype tooth
Horizon
Lance Formation, Maastrichtian, Late Cretaceous , 72.2–66.0 million years ago
Locality
Bushy Tailed Blowout, Wyoming, United States

References

  1. Carpenter, K. (1982). Baby dinosaurs from the Late Cretaceous Lance and Hell Creek formations and a description of a new species of theropod. Contributions to Geology, University of Wyoming 20(2): 123-134. doi:10.15468/gcrned carpenter1982a
  2. Larson, D. W.; Currie, P. J. (2013). Multivariate Analyses of Small Theropod Dinosaur Teeth and Implications for Paleoecological Turnover through Time. PLOS ONE 8(1): e54329. Public Library of Science (PLoS). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0054329

    Treated Pectinodon as a valid tooth-based taxon.

    larson2013a
  3. Currie, P. J. (1987). Bird-like characteristics of the jaws and teeth of troodontid theropods (Dinosauria, Saurischia). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 7(1): 72-81. Informa UK Limited. doi:10.1080/02724634.1987.10011638

    Synonymizes Pectinodon bakkeri with Troodon formosus.

    currie1987a