Sinoceratops

Sye-noh-seh-rah-tops.
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Cassidy Wood

Paleoentomologist

Cassidy Wood uncovers the tiny yet significant world of prehistoric insects. Her research on amber-preserved specimens has revealed intricate details about ancient ecosystems.

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Name

Sinoceratops (Chinese Ceratopsian).

Phonetic

Sye-noh-seh-rah-tops.

Named By

Xu Xing, Wang KeBai, Zhao XiJin & Li DunJing - 2010.

Classification

Chordata, Reptilia, Dinosauria, Ornithischia, Ceratopsia, Ceratopsidae, Centrosaurinae.

Diet

Herbivore.

Species

S. zhuchengensis

Size

Skull is estimated to have measured as much as 1.8 meters long.

Known locations

China, Shandong Province.

Time Period

Campanian of the Cretaceous.

Fossil representation

Upper skull and partial frill.

In Depth

       Although only known from partial skull material Sinoceratops displays features that are seen in both the centrosaurine and chasmosaurine lines of the ceratopsian dinosaurs. Although larger than others of the group, Sinoceratops is considered to be a basal centrosaurine, and its discovery has shed a little more light on ceratopsian evolution. Unfortunately however, until additional fossil material can be recovered, reconstructions are reliant upon comparisons with other better known ceratopsians.

Further Reading

– First ceratopsid dinosaur from China and its biogeographical implications – Chinese Science Bulletin 55: 1631–1635 – X. Xu, K. Wang, X. Zhao & D. Li – 2010.

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT