Albertaceratops: Research Database
Centrosaurinae (Ceratopsidae) · Late Cretaceous (~78–77 MYA) · North America — Canada, Alberta (Oldman Formation)
Research Note: Albertaceratops was a centrosaurine ceratopsid from the Late Cretaceous of Alberta, Canada — one of the earliest known centrosaurines, from the Campanian stage. As a relatively basal member of the centrosaurine radiation, it provides critical data on the early evolution of horned dinosaur body plans and the diversification of ceratopsid dinosaurs in western North America.
| Research Finding | Status | Grade | Year | Method | Citation | Impact |
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Longrich 2015: Albertaceratops and new data on centrosaurine ceratopsid diversity in the Cretaceous of North America
Longrich 2015 provide comprehensive data on Albertaceratops from the Late Cretaceous of Canada, establishing it as a well-understood basal centrosaurine and documenting the early diversification of centrosaurine ceratopsids in the Campanian of western North America
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Confirmed | A | 2015 | Fossil | Longrich, Cretaceous Research | Diversity |
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Tokaryk 2010: Albertaceratops and the anatomy of a basal centrosaurine ceratopsid from the Oldman Formation
Tokaryk 2010 provides additional anatomical data on Albertaceratops and the morphology of basal centrosaurine ceratopsids from the Late Cretaceous of Canada, further contextualising its significance for understanding the early evolution of the centrosaurine body plan
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Confirmed | B | 2010 | Fossil | Tokaryk, The Canadian Field-Naturalist | Anatomy |
Active Debate: Centrosaurine Evolution, Ceratopsid Biogeography, and the Early Diversification of Horned Dinosaurs
Whether Albertaceratops represents a truly basal centrosaurine or a side branch that split off before the major centrosaurine radiation is debated. Its position in the phylogenetic tree of ceratopsids affects our understanding of when and how the major ceratopsid lineages diverged from each other. The relatively early age of Albertaceratops — from the early Campanian — suggests the centrosaurine radiation was already well underway by this time.
The discovery of Albertaceratops alongside other ceratopsids in the Oldman Formation raises questions about how multiple ceratopsid species coexisted in the same ecosystems. Whether they partitioned ecological resources by body size, feeding height, or dietary niche is debated.
What We Still Do Not Know About Albertaceratops
- Precise phylogenetic position: Basal centrosaurine debated.
- Social behavior: No direct evidence.
- Diet: Herbivorous; specific plants unknown.
- Skin/coloration: Unknown.
In Depth
The fact that Albertaceratops has large and well developed brow horns on what is in essence a centrosaurine skull has led to the thinking that Albertaceratops is a basal centrosaurine ceratopsian. Later members of the group would develop considerably reduced brow horns. Albertaceratops had no nasal horn but instead had a bony growth on top of its snout, similar to that of Pachyrhinosaurus. The top of the frill has two small horns that strongly curve out to the sides. Additional remains from Montana once thought to belong to Albertaceratops have now been named Medusaceratops.
The type species name of Albertaceratops, A. nesmoi, is based upon the name Cecil Nesmo, a rancher who in the past has aided fossil hunters.
Further Reading
– A new basal centrosaurine ceratopsid from the Oldman Formation, southeastern Alberta – Journal of Paleontology 81(2):376-396 – M. J. Ryan – 2007.
