
New Troodontid Dinevenator Robustus Rewrites NM Dinosaur Record
Paleontologists describe Dinevenator robustus, a new troodontid dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous De-na-zin Member (Kirtland Formation) in northwestern New Mexico. Known from a nearly complete left frontal bone (SMP VP-1955), the ~2.4–3 m long, 70–140 kg animal is among the larger troodontids and is identified as the earliest-diverging, robust-skulled member of the group, distinct from Xenovenator. This discovery adds to the San Juan Basin’s notable dinosaur diversity during the twilight of the Cretaceous, with the new genus described in 2026’s Fossil Studies.













