模式种合踝阿尔伯塔奔龙(Albertadromeus syntarsus)由卡雷·马歇尔·布朗(Caleb Marshall Brown)、大卫·埃文斯(David C. Evans)、迈克·瑞恩(Michael J. Ryan)和安东尼·罗塞尔(Anthony P. Russell)于2013年描述并命名。属名Albertadromeus取自化石发现地阿尔伯塔省及希腊语dromeus/δρομεύς(奔跑者),意为“阿尔伯塔的奔跑者”,指其善于奔跑的特征;种名syntarsus取自希腊语syn/συν(连接)和tarsus/ταρσός(踝骨),意为“接合的踝骨”,指腓骨远端与胫骨远端融合的情况。[1]
描述
正模标本TMP 2009.037.0044由两节背椎、一节尾椎、颈肋、骨化肌腱、左胫骨和腓骨、一个不完整的右腓骨及零碎的跖骨和爪骨组成,颅骨尚未发现。作者指出,尽管已发现的骨骼很少,但保存状况适中,因此仍提供了足够的形态细节以用于物种鉴别。[1]阿尔伯塔奔龙是种善于奔跑的小型两足新鸟臀类,胫骨比山奔龙略长,比帕克氏龙(ROM 804)、奇异龙(USNM 7757和RSM P 1225.1)、棱齿龙(NMHUK R5830)、橡树龙(YPM 1876)和剑角龙(UALVP 002)长得多。[1]胫骨伸长与其善于奔跑的习性密切相关。[2]
^ 1.01.11.21.31.41.5Brown, C. M.; Evans, D. C.; Ryan, M. J.; Russell, A. P. New data on the diversity and abundance of small-bodied ornithopods (Dinosauria, Ornithischia) from the Belly River Group (Campanian) of Alberta. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 2013, 33 (3): 495. doi:10.1080/02724634.2013.746229.
^Coombs, W. P., Jr. 1978. Theoretical aspects of cursorial adaptations in dinosaurs. The Quarterly Review of Biology 53:393–418.
^Eberth, D.A., and Hamblin, A.P., 1993 , Tectonic, stratigraphic, and sedimentologic significance of a regional discontinuity in the upper Judith River Group (Belly River wedge) of southern Alberta, Saskatchewan, and northern Montana: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 30, 174‒200.