The skull of the Wendiceratops pinhornensis is considered elaborate by the authors given that the species is an early example of horned dinosaur. (Image credit: Danielle Dufault)
A new species of horned dinosaur discovered in southern Alberta provides new information about the evolution of the Triceratops family of dinosaurs, the Ceratopsidae. The new species, Wendiceratops pinhornensis, is identified by 184 bones from at least four individuals. The Wendiceratop is an early species of horned dinosaur, living alongside the Albertaceratops, approximately 79 million years ago.
The authors suggest that the time period experienced a turnover of new plant species, as well as some degree of niche partitioning, given that the two species were living together. The Wendiceratop was approximately 20 feet long, and weighed more than a ton.
Original research paper published in PLOS ONE on July 8, 2015.
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