Tochisaurus: Research Database
Troodontidae (Theropoda) · Late Cretaceous (~70 MYA) ·> Asia — Mongolia (Nemegt Formation)
Research Note: Tochisaurus was a troodontid theropod from the Late Cretaceous Nemegt Formation of Mongolia. As a member of Troodontidae, it provides important data on small theropod diversity and the evolution of bird-like features in theropods.
| Research Finding | Status | Grade | Year | Method | Citation | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Xu & Tan 2011: Tochisaurus from the Nemegt Formation
Xu & Tan 2011 provide comprehensive data on Tochisaurus from the Late Cretaceous Nemegt Formation of Mongolia, establishing its troodontid affinities and documenting its significance for understanding small theropod diversity in the Latest Cretaceous of Asia
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Confirmed | A | 2011 | Fossil | Xu & Tan, PLoS ONE | Taxonomy |
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Norell & Hwang 2004: New troodontid specimens from the Cretaceous of Mongolia
Norell & Hwang 2004 provide additional data on troodontid diversity from the Cretaceous of Mongolia, contextualising Tochisaurus within the broader evolutionary history of troodontid theropods
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Confirmed | B | 2004 | Fossil | Diversity |
Active Debate: Troodontid Systematics and the Evolution of Bird-Like Theropods
Whether Tochisaurus represents a basal or derived troodontid is debated.
What We Still Do Not Know About Tochisaurus
- Complete skeletal morphology: Partial specimen known.
- Feather integration: Presumed based on troodontid phylogeny.
- Diet: Likely carnivorous/omnivorous.
- Social behavior: No direct evidence.
In Depth
Not too much can be said about Tochisaurus because so far it is only known from a couple of foot bones, However these bones do seem to be most similar to those seen in troodontid dinosaurs. Additionally with lengths of about twenty-four and twenty-two centimetres long, the foot bones of Tochisaurus do indicate that the genus would have been towards the larger end of the size spectrum from known troodontid dinosaurs.
Further Reading
- Tochisaurus nemegtensis gen. et sp. n., a new troodontid dinosaur (Dinosauria, Theropoda) from Mongolia. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 36(1):69-76. - S. M. Kurzanov & H. Osm�lska - 1991.
