Xuanhuaceratops
Name:
Xuanhuaceratops
(Xuanhua horned face).
Phonetic: Zwan-ha-seh-ra-tops.
Named By: Zhao, Cheng, Xu, Makovicky -
2006.
Classification: Chordata, Reptilia, Dinosauria,
Ornithischia, Marginocephalia, Ceratopsia, Chaoyangsauridae.
Species: X. niei (type).
Diet: Herbivore.
Size: Estimated 90 centimetres long.
Known locations: China, Hebei Province, Xuanhua
- Houcheng Formation.
Time period: Late Jurassic.
Fossil representation: Four individuals represented
by partial skull and post cranial remains.
Xuanhuaceratops represents the early ceratopsian form that was a small probably bipedal dinosaur that had developed the sharp cropping beak as well as the rudimentary beginnnings of the neck frill that would become so characteristic of the ceratopsians. Because of its small size Xuanhuaceratops probably had to rely upon speed and agility to escape predators that may have included theropods like Xuanhanosaurus.
Further reading
- A new ceratopsian from the Upper Jurassic Houcheng Formation of
Hebei, China. - Acta Geologica Sinica 80(4):467-473. - X. Zhao, Z.
Cheng, X. Xu and P. J. Makovicky - 2006.
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