Oldman formation

A fragmentary skeleton of Stenonychosaurus inequalis indicates that this small theropod dinosaur is very closely related to Saurornithoides mongoliensis from the Cretaceous of central Asia. Both forms possessed relatively well developed cerebral hemispheres and large eyes, and were probably fleet bipeds with supple raptorial forelimbs. Their extreme rarity as fossils is attributed to their preference for environments not usually preserved in the stratigraphic record.

@article{russell1969a,
    author = "Russell, Dale A.",
    title = "A new specimen of Stenonychosaurus from the Oldman Formation (Cretaceous) of Alberta",
    year = "1969",
    journal = "Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences",
    abstract = "A fragmentary skeleton of Stenonychosaurus inequalis indicates that this small theropod dinosaur is very closely related to Saurornithoides mongoliensis from the Cretaceous of central Asia. Both forms possessed relatively well developed cerebral hemispheres and large eyes, and were probably fleet bipeds with supple raptorial forelimbs. Their extreme rarity as fossils is attributed to their preference for environments not usually preserved in the stratigraphic record.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1139/e69-059",
    doi = "10.1139/e69-059",
    number = "4",
    pages = "595-612",
    volume = "6"
}

@article{russell1969a1,
    author = "Russell, D. A",
    title = "A new specimen of Stenonychosaurus from the Oldman Formation (Cretaceous) of Alberta",
    year = "1969",
    journal = "Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 6, p. 595-612",
    note = "talkorigins\_source = {true}; raw\_reference = {Russell, D. A., 1969, A new specimen of Stenonychosaurus from the Oldman Formation (Cretaceous) of Alberta: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 6, p. 595-612.}"
}

The paper deals with a study of four species of coniferous woods recorded for the first time from the Oldman Formation (Campanian) of southern Alberta. These are, Platyspiroxylon parenchimatosum of the Cupressaceae; Taxodioxylon cryptomerioides and T. multiseriatum of the Taxodiaceae; and Podocarpoxylon ajkaense of the Podocarpaceae. Of these, Platyspiroxylon parenchymatosum has affinities with Callitris, while Taxodioxylon cryptomerioides and Podocarpoxylon ajkaense show striking similarities to the wood structure of Cryptomeria and Podocarpus respectively.

@article{ramanujam1972fossil,
    author = "Ramanujam, C. G. K.",
    title = "Fossil coniferous woods from the Oldman Formation (Upper Cretaceous) of Alberta",
    year = "1972",
    journal = "Canadian Journal of Botany",
    abstract = "The paper deals with a study of four species of coniferous woods recorded for the first time from the Oldman Formation (Campanian) of southern Alberta. These are, Platyspiroxylon parenchimatosum of the Cupressaceae; Taxodioxylon cryptomerioides and T. multiseriatum of the Taxodiaceae; and Podocarpoxylon ajkaense of the Podocarpaceae. Of these, Platyspiroxylon parenchymatosum has affinities with Callitris, while Taxodioxylon cryptomerioides and Podocarpoxylon ajkaense show striking similarities to the wood structure of Cryptomeria and Podocarpus respectively.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1139/b72-073",
    doi = "10.1139/b72-073",
    number = "3",
    pages = "595-602",
    volume = "50"
}

A fragment of the proximal phalanx of a wing finger (IV) from the Oldman Formation (Campanian) of Alberta probably represents the first record of a pterosaur from Canada. The animal from which it was derived had a wingspan of about 3.5 m.

@article{russell1972a,
    author = "Russell, Dale A.",
    title = "A Pterosaur from the Oldman Formation (Cretaceous) of Alberta",
    year = "1972",
    journal = "Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences",
    abstract = "A fragment of the proximal phalanx of a wing finger (IV) from the Oldman Formation (Campanian) of Alberta probably represents the first record of a pterosaur from Canada. The animal from which it was derived had a wingspan of about 3.5 m.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1139/e72-119",
    doi = "10.1139/e72-119",
    number = "10",
    pages = "1338-1340",
    volume = "9"
}

Eutherian mammals from the Upper Cretaceous Oldman Formation, Alberta, are described. These include the leptictid proteutherian Gypsonictops lewisi Sahni, which has five lower premolars and was probably the direct lineal ancestor of G. hypoconus Simpson of Lancian age; a new genus and species of primitive and generalized erinaceoid insectivore, which is the most adequate dental ancestor known for all Lipotyphla, Tupaiidae, Primates, Dermoptera, Chiroptera, and all of the ungulate mammals; and the first pre-Lancian occurrence in North America of the Family Palaeoryctidae.

@article{fox1979mammals,
    author = "Fox, Richard C.",
    title = "Mammals from the Upper Cretaceous Oldman Formation, Alberta. III. Eutheria",
    year = "1979",
    journal = "Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences",
    abstract = "Eutherian mammals from the Upper Cretaceous Oldman Formation, Alberta, are described. These include the leptictid proteutherian Gypsonictops lewisi Sahni, which has five lower premolars and was probably the direct lineal ancestor of G. hypoconus Simpson of Lancian age; a new genus and species of primitive and generalized erinaceoid insectivore, which is the most adequate dental ancestor known for all Lipotyphla, Tupaiidae, Primates, Dermoptera, Chiroptera, and all of the ungulate mammals; and the first pre-Lancian occurrence in North America of the Family Palaeoryctidae.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1139/e79-011",
    doi = "10.1139/e79-011",
    number = "1",
    pages = "114-125",
    volume = "16"
}

New fossils of Meniscoessus major (Cimolomyidae: Multituberculata) are described from the Upper Cretaceous Oldman Formation, Alberta. Associations of P 3–4, M 1–2, and P 4 M 1 are documented for the first time for this species. M. major, one of the largest known multituberculates in rocks of Judithian age, was probably a direct descendant of M. intermedius, known from the lowermost parts of the Oldman Formation, Alberta. The relationships of M. major to other species of Meniscoessus probably do not include descent from an M. ferox-like ancestor or ancestry of M. robustus-like descendants.

@article{fox1980mammals,
    author = "Fox, Richard C.",
    title = "Mammals from the Upper Cretaceous Oldman Formation, Alberta. IV. Meniscoessus Cope (Multituberculata)",
    year = "1980",
    journal = "Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences",
    abstract = "New fossils of Meniscoessus major (Cimolomyidae: Multituberculata) are described from the Upper Cretaceous Oldman Formation, Alberta. Associations of P 3–4, M 1–2, and P 4 M 1 are documented for the first time for this species. M. major, one of the largest known multituberculates in rocks of Judithian age, was probably a direct descendant of M. intermedius, known from the lowermost parts of the Oldman Formation, Alberta. The relationships of M. major to other species of Meniscoessus probably do not include descent from an M. ferox-like ancestor or ancestry of M. robustus-like descendants.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1139/e80-155",
    doi = "10.1139/e80-155",
    number = "11",
    pages = "1480-1488",
    volume = "17"
}

The discovery in recent years of additional skull material of the rare carnivorous dinosaur Stenonychosaurus inequalis prompts the first thorough description of this animal. This species, known only from the Upper Cretaceous strata of North America, is closely related to, but distinct from, the two described species of Saurornithoides from Mongolia. A derived characteristic, an inflated parasphenoid capsule, is found in both the saurornithoidids and ornithomimids, strongly suggesting shared ancestry. The middle ear cavity is well defined and is connected to at least two systems of sinuses in the skull bones. Periotic sinuses like these have not been described in theropods, and their presumed absence has been used as evidence against theropod ancestry of birds. Although these and other cranial characteristics of Stenonychosaurus do not prove that birds descended from theropods, they strengthen the claim that small carnivorous dinosaurs are more plausible bird ancestors than either pseudosuchians or crocodiles:

@article{currie1985cranial,
    author = "Currie, P. J.",
    title = "Cranial anatomy of Stenonychosaurus inequalis (Saurischia, Theropoda) and its bearing on the origin of birds",
    year = "1985",
    journal = "Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences",
    abstract = "The discovery in recent years of additional skull material of the rare carnivorous dinosaur Stenonychosaurus inequalis prompts the first thorough description of this animal. This species, known only from the Upper Cretaceous strata of North America, is closely related to, but distinct from, the two described species of Saurornithoides from Mongolia. A derived characteristic, an inflated parasphenoid capsule, is found in both the saurornithoidids and ornithomimids, strongly suggesting shared ancestry. The middle ear cavity is well defined and is connected to at least two systems of sinuses in the skull bones. Periotic sinuses like these have not been described in theropods, and their presumed absence has been used as evidence against theropod ancestry of birds. Although these and other cranial characteristics of Stenonychosaurus do not prove that birds descended from theropods, they strengthen the claim that small carnivorous dinosaurs are more plausible bird ancestors than either pseudosuchians or crocodiles:",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1139/e85-173",
    doi = "10.1139/e85-173",
    number = "11",
    pages = "1643-1658",
    volume = "22"
}

A partial foot of Stenonychosaurus from the Judith River (Oldman) Formation, Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, shows features in the metatarsus that have not previously been recognized. These include compression of metatarsal II and exclusion of the proximal half of metatarsal III from the anterior (= dorsal) surface of the metatarsus. Exclusion from the anterior surface of metatarsal III to this extent is unprecedented among theropods and further underscores the distinctiveness of the Sauromithoididae.

@article{wilson1985stenonychosaurus,
    author = "Wilson, Michael Clayton and Currie, Philip J.",
    title = "Stenonychosaurus inequalis (Saurischia: Theropoda) from the Judith River (Oldman) Formation of Alberta: new findings on metatarsal structure",
    year = "1985",
    journal = "Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences",
    abstract = "A partial foot of Stenonychosaurus from the Judith River (Oldman) Formation, Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, shows features in the metatarsus that have not previously been recognized. These include compression of metatarsal II and exclusion of the proximal half of metatarsal III from the anterior (= dorsal) surface of the metatarsus. Exclusion from the anterior surface of metatarsal III to this extent is unprecedented among theropods and further underscores the distinctiveness of the Sauromithoididae.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1139/e85-192",
    doi = "10.1139/e85-192",
    number = "12",
    pages = "1813-1817",
    volume = "22"
}

@article{wilson1985stenonychosaurus2,
    author = "Wilson, M. C. and Currie, P. J",
    title = "Stenonychosaurus inequalis (Saurischia",
    year = "1985",
    journal = "Theropoda) from the Judith River (Oldman) Formation of Alberta: new findings on metatarsal structure: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 22, p. 1813-1817",
    note = "talkorigins\_source = {true}; raw\_reference = {Wilson, M. C., and Currie, P. J., 1985, Stenonychosaurus inequalis (Saurischia: Theropoda) from the Judith River (Oldman) Formation of Alberta: new findings on metatarsal structure: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 22, p. 1813-1817.}"
}

A partial skeleton of a small theropod found in the Judith River Formation of Dinosaur Provincial Park (Alberta) shows that Chirostenotes pergracilis is the same animal as "Macrophalangia canadensis" and probably "Ornithomimus elegans." New information on the skeleton suggests that Chirostenotes is closely related to Elmisaurus and Oviraptor and that these animals are derived from dromaeosaurid stock. Both robust and gracile forms are known from Alberta, and it is suggested that these correspond to the two "species" of Caenagnathus and represent sexual dimorphism. Microvenator from the Lower Cretaceous of Montana may represent an early caenagnathid. Specializations in the pelvic girdle and hind limb may indicate wading habits.

@article{currie1988osteology,
    author = "Currie, Philip J. and Russell, Dale A.",
    title = "Osteology and relationships of Chirostenotes pergracilis (Saurischia, Theropoda) from the Judith River (Oldman) Formation of Alberta, Canada",
    year = "1988",
    journal = "Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences",
    abstract = {A partial skeleton of a small theropod found in the Judith River Formation of Dinosaur Provincial Park (Alberta) shows that Chirostenotes pergracilis is the same animal as "Macrophalangia canadensis" and probably "Ornithomimus elegans." New information on the skeleton suggests that Chirostenotes is closely related to Elmisaurus and Oviraptor and that these animals are derived from dromaeosaurid stock. Both robust and gracile forms are known from Alberta, and it is suggested that these correspond to the two "species" of Caenagnathus and represent sexual dimorphism. Microvenator from the Lower Cretaceous of Montana may represent an early caenagnathid. Specializations in the pelvic girdle and hind limb may indicate wading habits.},
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1139/e88-097",
    doi = "10.1139/e88-097",
    number = "7",
    pages = "972-986",
    volume = "25"
}

@misc{hamblin1994the,
    author = "Hamblin, A P",
    title = "The Comrey Sandstone (Oldman Formation) of the Upper Cretaceous Judith River (Belly River) Group, subsurface of southern Alberta",
    year = "1994",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.4095/193497",
    doi = "10.4095/193497"
}