In Depth
Minotaurasaurus was an Asian ankylosaurid dinosaur, presumably of the late Cretaceous. However the skull that makes up the holotype of Minotaurasaurus is more famous for the controversy surrounding it. The skull was purchased from a fossil dealer by Vilayanur S. Ramachandran, who in turn allowed it to be studied by palaeontologists. However at the time it was illegal to export fossils from China (which includes Mongolia), and some have pointed out that no documentation exists to prove it removed with permission from the Chinese authorities. Ramachandran for his part has stated that he does not mind handing the fossil over to the relevant authorities, but only if it can be proven that the fossil was indeed illegally taken.
In 2013 a second skull, axis and partial cervical vertebra of Minotaurasaurus were described. These were discovered in the Campanian aged Djadochta (a.k.a. Djadokhta) Formation of the Gobi Desert.
Further Reading
-Skull of Minotaurasaurus ramachandrani, a new Cretaceous ankylosaur from the Gobi Desert, Clifford A. Miles & Clark J. Miles - 2009. – New Minotaurasaurus material from the Djodokta Formation establishes new taxonomic and stratigraphic criteria for the taxon. – Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. Program and Abstracts: 76. – J. Alicea & M. Loewen – 2013.
