Editing Troodon (section)

{{Short description|Extinct genus of dinosaurs}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| fossil_range = [[Late Cretaceous]] ([[Campanian]]), {{fossilrange|77.5|76.5|earliest=77.5|latest=66}}<small>Possible [[Maastrichtian|Late Maastrichtian]] record</small>
| image = Troodon formosus holotype tooth.jpg
| image_caption = [[Holotype]] tooth in multiple views
| taxon = Troodon
| authority = [[Joseph Leidy|Leidy]], [[1856 in paleontology|1856]]
| type_species = {{extinct}}'''''Troodon formosus'''''
| type_species_authority = Leidy, 1856p
}}

'''''Troodon''''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|t|r|oʊ|.|ə|d|ɒ|n}} {{respell|TROH|ə-don}}; '''''Troödon''''' in older sources) is a controversial [[genus]] of relatively small, [[bird]]-like [[Theropoda|theropod]] [[dinosaur]]s definitively known from the [[Campanian]] age of the [[Late Cretaceous]] [[Period (geology)|period]] (about 77&nbsp;million years ago). It includes at least one species, '''''Troodon formosus''''', known from [[Montana]]. Discovered in October 1855, ''T. formosus'' was among the first dinosaurs found in [[North America]], although it was thought to be a [[lizard]] until 1877. Several well-known [[Troodontidae|troodontid]] specimens from the [[Dinosaur Park Formation]] in [[Alberta]] have been historically considered members of this genus. In a 2017 analysis, the genus was considered undiagnostic, and some of its specimens were referred to the genus ''[[Stenonychosaurus]]'' (long believed to be synonymous with ''Troodon''), some to the genus ''[[Latenivenatrix]]'', and some to the genus ''[[Pectinodon]]''. However, this has been disputed since, and a 2025 paper recommended the designation of a [[neotype]] to preserve ''Troodon'''s validity, with ''Stenonychosaurus'' as a junior synonym.

The genus name is [[Ancient Greek]] for "wounding tooth", referring to the teeth, which were different from those of most other [[theropod]]s known at the time of their discovery. The teeth bear prominent, apically oriented serrations. These "wounding" serrations, however, are [[morphometric]]ally more similar to those of herbivorous reptiles, and suggest a possibly omnivorous diet.<ref name="Holtzetal1998">Holtz, Thomas R., Brinkman, Daniel L., Chandler, Christine L. (1998) Denticle Morphometrics and a Possibly Omnivorous Feeding Habit for the Theropod Dinosaur Troodon. Gaia number 15. December 1998. pp. 159-166.</ref>