[56], In 1955 paleontologist Georg Haas examined the overall skull shape of Protoceratops and attempted to reconstruct its jaw musculature. [36] In 2022 Phil R. Bell and colleagues briefly described these potential soft tissues based on the photographs provided by Brown and Schlaikjer, as well as other ceratopsian soft tissues. [78], Barsbold in 1974 shortly described the Fighting Dinosaurs specimen and discussed possible scenarios. Protoceratops is a special dinosaur because they had really large eyes. Kosmoceratops is a dinosaur that was discovered in Utah in the United States. The tibia (shinbone) was long and slender with a wide lower end. Based on previous assemblages and the two blocks, the team determined that Protoceratops was a social dinosaur that formed herds throughout its life and such herds would have varied in composition, with some including adults, sub-adults, siblings from a single nest or local members of a herd joining shortly after hatching. They indicated that sexual dimorphism in this population was marked by a prominent nasal horn in malestrait also noted by other authorsrelative wider nostrils in females, and a wider neck frill in males. Thanks to the large collection of skulls found in the expeditions, they concluded that Protoceratops represented a ceratopsian more primitive than ceratopsids and not an ankylosaur-ceratopsian ancestor. The jugal was deep and sharply developed and along with the quadratojugal they formed a horn-like extension that pointed to below at the lateral sides of the skull. Because Protoceratops is considered to have been a herding animal, another hypothesis is that members of a herd tried to pull out the already buried Protoceratops, causing the joint dislocation of limbs. Unlike dentary and maxillary teeth, the premaxillary dentition was devoid of denticles, having a relatively smooth surface. An artist's rendition of a Protoceratops with a colorful neck frill. [28] The description of the eggshell of Protoceratopsidovum has further confirmed that they in fact belong to a maniraptoran, possibly deinonychosaur taxon. She cited myths such as cyclopes, giants, griffins and minotaurs. The Protoceratops eggs are the first ever discovered for a horned dinosaur, while the Mussaurus eggs represent some of the earliest for a long-necked dinosaur. Furthermore, Coombs considered the large concentration of Protoceratops eggs at small regions as an indicator of marked philopatric nesting (nesting in the same area). Published November 29, 2011 Share Tweet Email Hone and colleagues in particular suggested that juveniles would aggregate primarily as a defense against predators and an increased protection from the multiple adults within the group. The researchers focused on the mineral and chemical compositions of the . The fact that the individuals likely spend some time in the nest after hatching for growth suggests that Protoceratops parents might have cared for their young at nests during at least the early stages of life. The phylogenetic analysis performed by the team recovered both protoceratopsids as sister taxa, indicating that Bagaceratops and Protoceratops were anatomically and systematically related. [2] This would later result in the interpretation of Oviraptor as an egg-thief. One Protoceratops Species was Named in Honor of a Real-Life Indiana Jones. [26], However, also during 1994, Norell and colleagues reported and briefly described a fossilized theropod embryo inside an egg (MPC-D 100/971) from the Djadokhta Formation. Their neural spines were broad, not coosified, and rather consistent in length. They also named the new genus and species of protoceratopsid Bagaceratops rozhdestvenskyi, known from specimens of the nearby Hermiin Tsav locality. However, it is now believed that they cathemeral. At first scientist thought this meant they were nocturnal (they came out at night). More specifically, Mikhailov stated that P. sincerum and P. minimum were laid by Protoceratops, and P. fluxuosum by Breviceratops. Most bones of Protoceratops preserve a large abundance of bone fibers (including Sharpey's fibres), which likely gave strength to the organ and enhanced its elasticity. [124], In 1993 the Folklorist and historian of science Adrienne Mayor of Stanford University suggested that the exquisitely preserved fossil skeletons of Protoceratops, Psittacosaurus and other beaked dinosaurs, found by ancient Scythian nomads who mined gold in the Tian Shan and Altai Mountains of Central Asia, may have been at the root of the image of the mythical creature known as the griffin. [1] Gregory and Charles C. Mook in 1925 upon a more deeper analysis of Protoceratops and its overall morphology, concluded that this taxon represents a ceratopsian more primitive than ceratopsids and not an ankylosaur-ceratopsian ancestor. They were characterized by a proportionally large skull, short and stiff neck, and neck frill. Fact or Fiction. The first chevron was located at the union of the third and fourth caudals. [11], Stephan N. F. Spiekman and colleagues reported a partial P. andrewsi skull (RGM 818207) in the collections of the Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Netherlands in 2015. Frambenen var ungefr 30% kortare n bakbenen, [ 3] vilket . The caudal vertebrae decreased in size progressively towards the end and had very elongated neural spines in the mid-series, forming a sail-like structure. [5][19], The snout was formed by the nasal, maxillar, premaxillar and rostral bones. The first block (MPC-D 100/526) comprises four juvenile individuals in close proximity with their heads pointing upwards, and the second block (MPC-D 100/534) is composed of two sub-adults with a horizontal orientation. ; Utkarsh Ambudkar as Orson: A humanoid supremacist Protoceratops with a bulging brain who wants to take control of the Lost World. Individuals with a high nasal horn, massive prefrontals, and frontoparietal depression were tentatively determined as males. It lived alongside Shantungosaurus, Zhuchengtyrannus, and Zhuchengceratops . [68] In addition, the high occurrence of protoceratopsid fossils in arid-deposited formations indicates that these ceratopsians preferred warm environments. These posters are perfect for classroom, science lab, or home school. [3] In the same year, Granger and William K. Gregory formally described the new genus and species Protoceratops andrewsi based on the holotype skull. [6] In 1940, Barnum Brown and Erich Maren Schlaikjer described the anatomy of P. andrewsi in extensive detail using newly prepared specimens from the Asiatic expeditions. Although the genera Gobiceratops, Lamaceratops, Magnirostris, and Platyceratops, were long considered valid and distinct taxa, and sometimes placed within Protoceratopsidae, Czepiski found the diagnostic (identifier) features used to distinguish these taxa to be largely present in Bagaceratops and thus becoming synonyms of this genus. [77], In 2016 Hone and colleagues analyzed 37 skulls of P. andrewsi, finding that the neck frill of Protoceratops (in both length and width) underwent positive allometry during ontongeny, that is, a faster growth/development of this region than the rest of the animal. The pes (foot) were composed of four metatarsal and four toes which bore shovel-like pedal unguals. [5] In 1972 Kurzanov made comparisons between P. andrewsi skulls from Bayn Dzak and Tugriken Shireh, noting differences on the nasal horn within populations. The triceratops was squat and powerfully built, around the size of an elephant. During the death struggle a large dune may have collapsed simultaneously burying both Protoceratops and Velociraptor. [48], In 2016 Hone and team indicated that the tail of Protoceratops, particularly the mid region with elevated neural spines, could have been used in display to impress potential mates and/or for species recognition. Protoceratops andrewsi. Velociraptor, facts and photos. During maturation, the skull and neck frill underwent rapid growth. The team also indicated that, while Protoceratops provides direct evidence for the formation of single cohort aggregations throughout its lifespan, it cannot be ruled out the possibility that some Protoceratops were solitary. The last larvae to emerge would have feed on the dried tendons and cartilage in the joint areasthereby explaining the notorious poor preservation of these areas in the specimenand subsequently chewing on the bone itself, prior to pupating. It was a common dinosaur from Cretaceous Mongolia. Protoceratops was initially believed to be an ancestor of ankylosaurians and larger ceratopsians, such as Triceratops and relatives, until the discoveries of other protoceratopsids. However, the discovery of Protoceratops' eggs fossilised in sandy pits in desert areas of China and Mongolia proved that theory wrong. Given that the Velociraptor is relatively complete, Carpenter suggested that it may have been completely or partially buried by sand. The neural arch and spine of the axis were notably larger than the atlas itself and any other cervical. A Dinosaur's Pterosaur Lunch. He pointed out that their prominent parrot-like beaks and shearing teeth along with powerful muscles on the jaws suggest an omnivore diet instead, much like pigs, hogs, boars and entelodonts. [12], Hone and colleagues in 2014 indicated that two assemblages of Protoceratops at Tugriken Shireh (MPC-D 100/526 and 100/534) suggest that individuals died simultaneously, rather than accumulating over time. Such use of the frill may suggest that intraspecific social behavior was highly important for Protoceratops. [74], In 2001 Lambert and team upon the description of P. hellenikorhinus also noted variation within individuals. The first point was supported by the numerous anatomical differences between protoceratopsids and psittacosaurids, most notably the extreme reduction of some hand digits in the latter groupa trait much less pronounced in protoceratopsids. The squamosal touched the jugal (cheekbone) and was very enlarged and high having a curved end that built the borders of the frill. Most of the fossilized remains of these dinosaurs were found in Asia, particularly in Mongolia, in the Gobi Desert and other parts of central Asia. If trapped in a specific situation (like danger or foraging), Protoceratops could have employed a rapid, facultative bipedalism. Protoceratops was a herbivore. This resulted in the interpretation of the contemporary Oviraptor as an egg predatory animal, an interpretation also reflected in its generic name. Paleontologists uncovered this just-hatched Protoceratops in 1997 at Ukhaa Tolgod. Like other ceratopsians, it had a rostral bone on the upper beak and a small frill around the . Protoceratops is a common find in the Flaming Cliffs formation, which it shared with other Dinosaurs like Velociraptor and Oviraptor. The centra were heterocoelous (saddle-shaped at both facets). They identified Protoceratops as an ornithischian dinosaur closely related to ceratopsians representing a possible common ancestor between ankylosaurs and ceratopsians. The frill was likely used for display or intraspecific combat, as well as protection of the neck and anchoring of jaw muscles. The team also suggested that a swimming adaptation could have been useful to avoid aquatic predators, such as crocodylomorphs. tops) (/protosrtps/; from Greek proto-/- "first", cerat-/- "horn" and -ops/- "face", meaning "First Horned Face") is a genus of sheep-sized (1.8 m long) herbivorous ceratopsian dinosaur, from the Upper Cretaceous Period (Campanian stage) of what is now Mongolia. [78], In 2020 nevertheless, Andrew C. Knapp and team conducted morphometric analyses of a large sample of P. andrewsi specimens, primarily confluding that the neck frill of Protoceratops has no indicators or evidence for being sexually dimorphic. . They interpreted the damaged areas in the Protoceratops specimen as product of active feeding by burrowing arthropods, most likely insects. Norell and team performed histological examinations to its chemical composition, finding traces of proteinaceous eggshells, and when compared to other sauropsids the team concluded that they were not biomineralized in life and thus soft-shelled. Like Triceratops, its North American relative, Protoceratops walked on 4 legs, was heavily built, and had a parrot-like beak. [49], However, in 1975 Maryanska and Osmolska argued that it is very unlikely that protoceratopsids evolved from psittacosaurids, and also unlikely that they gave rise to the highly derived (advanced) ceratopsids. While Oviraptor and Protoceratops did coexist in late Cretaceous central Asia, it turns out that this supposed "egg thief" got a bad rapit was . By this time, Protoceratops had become one of the most abundant dinosaurs of the region with more than 100 specimens known, including skulls and skeletons of multiple individuals at different growth stages. In a top view they had a triangular shape and were joined by the frontals (bones of the skull roof). The use of the frill as a displaying structure may be related to other anatomical features of Protoceratops such as the premaxillary teeth (at least for P. andrewsi) which could have been used in display or intraspecific combat, or the high neural spines of tail. The absence of these traits in mature individuals indicates that young Protoceratops were capable of facultative bipedal locomotion and adults had an obligate quadrupedal stance. The genus Protoceratops includes two species: P. andrewsi and the larger P. hellenikorhinus. [5] In 2001 Lambert and colleagues considered the development of the two nasal "horns" of P. hellenikorhinus to be a trait that was delayed in relation to the appearance of sexual-discriminant traits. Obtained results showed instead that several regions of the skull of Protoceratops independently varied in their rate of growth, ontogenetic shape and morphology; a high growth of the frill during ontogeny in relation to other body regions; and a large variability of the neck frill independent of size. Reported traces were identified as pits, notches, borings, and channels across the skeletons, most notably at limb joint areas. This family was characterized by their overall primitive morphology in comparison to the more derived Ceratopsidae, such as lack of well-developed horn cores and relative smaller body size. The nasal was generally rounded but some individuals had a sharp nasal boss (a feature that has been called "nasal horn"). SummaryStats. [56], However, Leonardo Maiorino with team in 2015 performed a large geometric morphometric analysis using 29 skulls of P. andrewsi in order to evaluate actual sexual dimorphism. Both hand and feet unguals were flat, blunt and hoof-like. The Gobi is now a desert. Unlike later ceratopsians, it lacked intense horns. Based on these components, the paleoenvironments of the Djadokhta Formation are interpreted as having a hot, semiarid climate with large dune fields/sand dunes and several short-lived water bodies, similar to the modern Gobi Desert. Was a herbivore. Dodson found most of these characters to be highly variable across specimens, especially the frill which he interpreted to have had a bigger role in displaying behavior than simply serving as a site of masticatory muscles. [97] Dominant sediments at Djadokhta include dominant reddish-orange and pale orange to light gray, medium to fine-grained sands and sandstones, caliche, and sparse fluvial (river-deposited) processes. [98][99][100], The Djadokhta Formation is separated into a lower Bayn Dzak Member and upper Turgrugyin Member. [1][2], In 1923 the expedition prospected the Flaming Cliffs again, this time discovering even more specimens of Protoceratops and also the first remains of Oviraptor, Saurornithoides and Velociraptor. He suggested that the large neck frill was likely an attachment site for masticatory muscles. Oviraptor, (genus Oviraptor), small, lightly built predatory or omnivorous dinosaur that brooded its eggs in a manner similar to birds. In this formation, P. hellenikorhinus is the representative species, and it shared its paleoenvironment with numerous dinosaurs such as dromaeosaurids Linheraptor and Velociraptor osmolskae;[87][88] oviraptorids Machairasaurus and Wulatelong;[55][89] and troodontids Linhevenator, Papiliovenator, and Philovenator. [19] Both species can be differentiated by the following characteristics: The skull of Protoceratops was relatively large compared to its body and robustly built. They also reproduced by laying eggs. As the name implies, they represent elongated dinosaur eggs, including some of referred ones to Protoceratops. 1/11 Properly Breathing House by H&P Architects. Lastly, Schmitz and Motani concluded that ecological niche was a potential main driver in the development of daily activity. Protoceratops had a big neck frill, which may have served to protect the . [15] Though Breviceratops has been regarded as a synonym and juvenile stage of Bagaceratops,[16][17] ukasz Czepiski in 2019 concluded that the former has enough anatomical differences to be considered as a separate taxon. Although it lacked the horns of later species, Protoceratops had a distinct bump above its nostrils and thickened bone over its eye sockets. This means they probably came out at regular times both day and night. [33][34][35], During the Third Central Asiatic Expedition in 1923, a nearly complete Protoceratops skeleton (specimen AMNH 6418) was collected at the Flaming Cliffs. The holotype (IMM 95BM1/1) and paratype (IMM 96BM1/4) specimens consist of large skulls lacking body remains. [19] Also in 2001, Tereschhenko analized several specimens of P. andrewsi in order to evaluate sexual dimorphism. 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The first three fingers had unguals (claw bones) and were the largest digits. They appear to have cared for their young. [36], Also from the context of the Polish-Mongolian paleontological expeditions, in 1965 an articulated subadult Protoceratops skeleton (specimen ZPAL Mg D-II/3) was collected from the Bayn Dzak locality of the Djadokhta Formation. The maxilla was very deep and had up to 15 alveoli (tooth sockets) on its underside or teeth bearing surface. [25], In 1994 the Russian paleontologist Konstantin E. Mikhailov named the new oogenus Protoceratopsidovum from the Barun Goyot and Djadokhta formations, with the type species P. sincerum and additional P. fluxuosum and P. minimum. [63], Tereschenko in 2018 examined the cervical vertebrae series of six P. andrewsi specimens. Protoceratops used to be characterized as nocturnal because of the large sclerotic ring around the eye, but they are now thought to have been cathemeral (active at dawn and dusk). Like other ceratops, lived in a terrestrial habitat. Because it is generally accepted that most fossil specimens at Tugriken Shireh were preserved by rapidly migrating dunes and sandstorms, Fastovsky with colleagues suggested that the lee side borders of the nest would have been the area where air was sand-free and consequently, all young Protoceratops may have struggled to reach this area, resulting in their final burial and eventual death. The rostral bone was devoid of teeth, high and triangular in shape. Another proposal is that the Velociraptor was scavenging an already dead Protoceratops when it got buried and eventually killed by indeterminate circumstances. [9] In 1990 the Russian paleontologist Sergei Mikhailovich Kurzanov referred additional material from Hermiin Tsav to P. kozlowskii. He considered a swimming adaptation unlikely given the arid settings of the Djadokhta Formation. [53], In 2019 Czepiski analyzed a vast majority of referred specimens to the ceratopsians Bagaceratops and Breviceratops, and concluded that most were in fact specimens of the former. While Oviraptor and Protoceratops did, in fact, coexist in late Cretaceous . Most notably, the team discovered the first fossilized dinosaur eggs near the holotype of Oviraptor and given how abundant Protoceratops was, the nest was attributed to this taxon. Other changes during ontogeny include the elongation of the premaxillary teeth that are smaller in juveniles and enlarged in adults, and the enlargement of middle neural spines in the tail or caudal vertebrae, which appear to grow much taller when approaching adulthood. The sampled elements consisted of neck frill, femur, tibia, fibula, ribs, humerus and radius bones, and showed that the histology of Protoceratops remained rather uniform throughout ontogeny. Such placement of the muscles may have helped to anchor the lower jaws, useful for feeding. hellenikorhinus. Los dinosaurios pertenecen al superorden Dinosauria (deinos 'terrible' y sauros 'lagarto' = lagartos terribles) y son el grupo de reptiles con ms xito, incluso ms que los mamferos. [103] Ukhaa Tolgod, a highly fossiliferous locality is also included in the Bayn Dzak member. These areas of land are flat spaces that easily fill up with water when the rivers overflow and are dry when they don't. They're made of rocks, soil, and sand deposited by the river's flooding. On its upper region a concavity was developed for the joint with the smaller fibula. [84] However, a subsequent study in 2021 found that Protoceratops had a greater capability of nocturnal vision than did Velociraptor. These individuals were considered as females. 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The third to the sixth dorsal (thoracic) ribs were the longest ribs in the skeleton of Protoceratops, the following ribs became smaller in size as they progressed toward the end of the vertebral column.
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