I've been caught up in finishing off my first draft of my PhD confirmation document, so apologies for the late Obscure DotW!
| Name: Cedarpelta bilbeyhallorum Etymology: After the Cedar Mountain Formation in which is was found, and Latin for shield; and the discoverers Sue Ann Bilbey and Evan Hall. Distribution: Early Cretaceous of Utah, U.S.A. Type Specimen: Disarticulated and complete skulls, ischium |  |
Interesting fact: Disarticulation allowed for first 3D examination of skull elements
One of the skulls of C. bilbeyhallorum was discovered in a disarticulated state: that is, the elements that made up the skull were found in separate pieces instead of being fused together. This allowed for the first three dimensional examination of ankylosaur skull elements. The hypothesis behind why the skull was disarticulated was that the individual was a juvenile, whereas in adulthood the skull elements would have been completely fused.
The disarticulated skull of C. bilbeyhallorum. From Carpenter et al., 2001.
It also represents one of the larger ankylosaurids found so far; with a 60 cm long skull it is calculated to be approximately 7.5-8.5 m long. Previously described ankylosaurs have been estimated at between 3 and 7 m long.
Simplified cladogram of all dinosaurs. C. bilbeyhallorum was an Ankylosaurid, within Thyreophora.
References
Carpenter, K,. Kirkland, J. I., Burge, D., and Bird, J., 2001. Disarticulated skull of a new primitive ankylosaurid from the Lower Cretaceous of Utah. In: “The Armored Dinosaurs”, edited by Carpenter, K., Indiana University Press, p. 211 - 238.
Carpenter, K,. Kirkland, J. I., Burge, D., and Bird, J., 2001. Disarticulated skull of a new primitive ankylosaurid from the Lower Cretaceous of Utah. In: “The Armored Dinosaurs”, edited by Carpenter, K., Indiana University Press, p. 211 - 238.
