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2.3" Fossil Troodontid (Troodon) Middle Metatarsal - Montana
This is a 2.3" long, fossil metatarsal (foot bone) of the elusive troodontid dinosaur, cf. Troodon foursomes. It was collected from the Hell Creek Formation at Johnston Ranch in Custer County, Montana. The shape of this metatarsal is common in small to large theropods. Organisms that had this middle metatarsal shape are categorized into the "Arctometatarsal" group. The reason for the shape of the bone is still debated, however a plausible hypothesis for the shape is to reduce compressive stress on the foot while running.
There is a repaired crack with some minor gap fill restoration through the thinnest, proximal-most portion of the bone
There is a repaired crack with some minor gap fill restoration through the thinnest, proximal-most portion of the bone
About Troodon formosus
Troodon formosus was a small theropod dinosaur named from a distinctive tooth discovered in the Late Cretaceous deposits of Montana. The name Troodon, meaning “wounding tooth,” refers to the tooth’s prominent serrations, which initially led to considerable uncertainty about the animal’s relationships. For much of the 20th century, Troodon was reconstructed as a lightly built, bird-like predator with large eyes, long hind limbs, grasping hands, and a relatively large braincase. These features helped make it one of the most recognizable small theropods from Late Cretaceous North America.
However, the validity of Troodon formosus has become highly controversial. Because the species was originally established from an isolated tooth, its type specimen lacks many of the anatomical features needed to confidently associate it with more complete troodontid skeletons. Research has subsequently shown that several fossils historically assigned to Troodon likely represent distinct genera, including Stenonychosaurus and Latenivenatrix. As a result, many paleontologists now regard Troodon formosus as a dubious species, or nomen dubium, while Troodontidae remains a valid family of small, feathered, bird-like theropod dinosaurs.
Troodon formosus was a small theropod dinosaur named from a distinctive tooth discovered in the Late Cretaceous deposits of Montana. The name Troodon, meaning “wounding tooth,” refers to the tooth’s prominent serrations, which initially led to considerable uncertainty about the animal’s relationships. For much of the 20th century, Troodon was reconstructed as a lightly built, bird-like predator with large eyes, long hind limbs, grasping hands, and a relatively large braincase. These features helped make it one of the most recognizable small theropods from Late Cretaceous North America.
However, the validity of Troodon formosus has become highly controversial. Because the species was originally established from an isolated tooth, its type specimen lacks many of the anatomical features needed to confidently associate it with more complete troodontid skeletons. Research has subsequently shown that several fossils historically assigned to Troodon likely represent distinct genera, including Stenonychosaurus and Latenivenatrix. As a result, many paleontologists now regard Troodon formosus as a dubious species, or nomen dubium, while Troodontidae remains a valid family of small, feathered, bird-like theropod dinosaurs.
The Hell Creek Formation
Renowned for both its age and rich sedimentary layers, the Hell Creek Formation is one of the most intensively studied fossil-bearing regions on Earth. To date, scientists have documented 158 genera of animals and 64 genera of plants from its rocks, with new finds emerging regularly. Beyond iconic dinosaurs such as tyrannosaurs, ceratopsians, and hadrosaurs, the formation has produced an extraordinary array of life, including amphibians, reptiles, lizards, snakes, turtles, fish, sharks, birds, and early mammals. Together, these fossils provide the most complete picture of the ecosystems that thrived just before the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event.
Renowned for both its age and rich sedimentary layers, the Hell Creek Formation is one of the most intensively studied fossil-bearing regions on Earth. To date, scientists have documented 158 genera of animals and 64 genera of plants from its rocks, with new finds emerging regularly. Beyond iconic dinosaurs such as tyrannosaurs, ceratopsians, and hadrosaurs, the formation has produced an extraordinary array of life, including amphibians, reptiles, lizards, snakes, turtles, fish, sharks, birds, and early mammals. Together, these fossils provide the most complete picture of the ecosystems that thrived just before the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event.
$950
SPECIES
cf. Troodon formosus
LOCATION
Johnston Ranch, Custer County, Montana
FORMATION
Hell Creek Formation
SIZE
2.3" long
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#382472
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