Atrociraptor

savage robber

• atrox · Latin · savage, cruel
• raptor · Latin · robber, plunderer

The name combines the Latin "atrox", meaning savage or cruel, with "raptor", meaning robber or plunderer. It refers to this small dromaeosaurid's presumed ferocious predatory habits, and to its short, deep snout with strongly recurved teeth. The only species, A. marshalli, honours Wayne Marshall, who found the first specimen.

Named by

Currie and Varricchio

Year named

2004

Period

Late Cretaceous

Stage

Maastrichtian

Found in

Horseshoe Canyon Formation, near Drumheller, Alberta, Canada

A dromaeosaurid theropod (a "raptor"). Known from fragmentary remains, mainly skull elements and teeth. Type species Atrociraptor marshalli.