| Name: Gilmoreosaurus mongoliensis Etymology: After the discoverer (Gilmore), and latin "saurus" (lizard); and after country of origin (Mongolia) Distribution: Late Cretaceous (Campanian - Early Maastrichtian) of Mongolia Type Specimen: Partial skeletons, including skull and teeth Estimated size: 8 m in length, 2 tonne in weight |  |
Interesting Fact: Evidence of tumors in the backbone
I feel sorry for G. mongoliensis, because the 'most interesting' factor I'm going to discuss for this species is the propensity for tumors to develop in their vertebrae! A CT scan study of hadrosaurid vertebrae by Rothschild et al. 2003 found that the two G. mongoliensis examined possessed hemangiomae (benign 'blood tumors'). Of the 97 hadrosaurs examined, 29 had tumors in their vertebrae; compare this to the 611 non-hadrosaurs examined, of which 0 had tumors! Overall, the authors concluded that "...the predilection of hadrosaurs to tumors is unprecedented and unique". So, G. mongoliensis, you and your hadrosaur compatriots are unique in your tumor-y-ness! Hooray, I guess?
I feel sorry for G. mongoliensis, because the 'most interesting' factor I'm going to discuss for this species is the propensity for tumors to develop in their vertebrae! A CT scan study of hadrosaurid vertebrae by Rothschild et al. 2003 found that the two G. mongoliensis examined possessed hemangiomae (benign 'blood tumors'). Of the 97 hadrosaurs examined, 29 had tumors in their vertebrae; compare this to the 611 non-hadrosaurs examined, of which 0 had tumors! Overall, the authors concluded that "...the predilection of hadrosaurs to tumors is unprecedented and unique". So, G. mongoliensis, you and your hadrosaur compatriots are unique in your tumor-y-ness! Hooray, I guess?
Simplified cladogram of all dinosaurs. G. mongoliensis was a hadrosauroid, within ornithopoda.
References:
Gilmore, C. W., 1933. On the dinosaurian fauna of the Iren Dabasu Formation. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 68(2-3):23-78.
Prieto-Marquez, A. and Norell, M., 2010. Anatomy and Relationships of Gilmoreosaurus mongoliensis (Dinosauria: Hadrosauroidea) from the Late Cretaceous of Central Asia. American Museum Novitates 3694; 1 - 49.
Rothschild, B. M., Tanke, D. H., Helbling, M., Martin, L. D., 2003. Epidemiologic study of tumors in dinosaurs. Naturwissenschaften, 90:495–500.
Gilmore, C. W., 1933. On the dinosaurian fauna of the Iren Dabasu Formation. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 68(2-3):23-78.
Prieto-Marquez, A. and Norell, M., 2010. Anatomy and Relationships of Gilmoreosaurus mongoliensis (Dinosauria: Hadrosauroidea) from the Late Cretaceous of Central Asia. American Museum Novitates 3694; 1 - 49.
Rothschild, B. M., Tanke, D. H., Helbling, M., Martin, L. D., 2003. Epidemiologic study of tumors in dinosaurs. Naturwissenschaften, 90:495–500.
