A newly discovered dinosaur species, Lokiceratops rangiformis, has been unveiled at the Natural History Museum of Utah. This plant-eating dinosaur lived over 78 million years ago on the island continent of Laramidia, showcasing unique features like large blade-like horns and a distinctive asymmetric spike. The dinosaur, found in the badlands of northern Montana, is among the largest and most ornate horned dinosaurs ever discovered.
Lokiceratops belonged to the ceratopsid group of dinosaurs, evolving around 92 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period. This new species, with its huge frill horns and lack of a nose horn, demonstrates the diversity of horned dinosaurs influenced by sexual selection.
The study team, led by paleontologist Joseph Sertich, revealed that Lokiceratops is the fourth centrosaurine dinosaur identified from a single assemblage in Montana. This discovery challenges previous beliefs about the coexistence of different horned dinosaur species in the same place and time. The research also sheds light on the rapid evolution and high endemism seen in ceratopsid dinosaurs on Laramidia.
The findings of this study, published in the scientific journal PeerJ, provide valuable insights into the evolution and diversity of horned dinosaurs, highlighting the importance of sexual selection in shaping their unique features. The discovery of Lokiceratops rangiformis adds to our understanding of the ancient ecosystems and the fascinating world of dinosaurs.
Vocabulary List
- Asymmetric /?e?s??m?tr?k/ (adjective): Having parts that fail to correspond to one another in shape, size, or arrangement.
- Ceratopsid /?s?r??t?ps?d/ (noun): A group of herbivorous, beaked dinosaurs.
- Centrosaurine /?s?ntr??s??ri?n/ (noun): A subgroup of ceratopsid dinosaurs.
- Endemism /?n?d?m?z?m/ (noun): The ecological state of being unique to a defined geographic location.
- Assemblage /??s?mbl?d?/ (noun): A collection or gathering of things or people.
- Ornate /???ne?t/ (adjective): Made in an intricate shape or decorated with complex patterns.
- Frill /fr?l/ (noun): A bony extension of the skull in some dinosaurs, often forming a decorative feature.
Vocabulary List:
- Asymmetric /ˌeɪ.sɪˈmɛ.trɪk/ (adjective): Having parts that fail to correspond to one another in shape size or arrangement.
- Ceratopsid /ˌsɛr.əˈtɒp.sɪd/ (noun): A group of herbivorous beaked dinosaurs.
- Centrosaurine /ˌsɛn.trəˈsɔː.rin/ (noun): A subgroup of ceratopsid dinosaurs.
- Endemism /ˈɛn.də.mɪ.zəm/ (noun): The ecological state of being unique to a defined geographic location.
- Assemblage /əˈsɛm.blɪdʒ/ (noun): A collection or gathering of things or people.
- Ornate /ɔːrˈneɪt/ (adjective): Made in an intricate shape or decorated with complex patterns.
