Albertadromeus is a type of dinosaur that is now extinct. It lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 77 to 76 million years ago, in what is now Alberta, Canada. This dinosaur is part of a larger group known as ornithischians, specifically in the family Thescelosauridae.
The name Albertadromeus comes from “Alberta,” the province where it was discovered, and the Greek word “dromeus,” which means “runner.” This name reflects its likely ability to run quickly. It has a single species known as Albertadromeus syntarsus.
The first fossils of Albertadromeus were described in 2013 by paleontologists Caleb Marshall Brown and his team. The fossils included parts of its back and limb bones, but its skull has not been found yet. Even with these few bones, scientists have learned important things about this dinosaur.
Albertadromeus was small and walked on two legs, which helped it move quickly. Its tibia, or shin bone, was long, indicating that it was built for running.
Certain features help scientists identify Albertadromeus from other dinosaurs. For instance, part of its ankle bone was fused together, and it had a unique shape in another bone called the tibia.
In 2013, it was also decided that Albertadromeus belonged to a new group called Orodrominae. This group includes other similar dinosaurs that are related but not the same.
The fossils of Albertadromeus were found in the Oldman Formation, which is an area known for its rich dinosaur fossils. This region was believed to be a coastal plain millions of years ago, home to many other dinosaurs like theropods and ceratopsids.
Albertadromeus gives us a glimpse into the diverse world of dinosaurs that once roamed the Earth. Its ability to run fast likely helped it escape from predators and thrive in its environment.