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Obscure Dinosaur of the Week: Magnirostris dodsoni

10/1/2013

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Name: Magnirostris dodsoni
Etymology: From the Latin 'magnus' (large) and 'rostrum' (beak); and after Prof. Peter Dodson for his contribution to the study of horned dinosaurs
Distribution: Late Cretaceous (Campanian) of Mongolia
Type Specimen: Almost complete skull and articulated lower jaw
Estimated size: 2.5 m in length
First described by: You et al., 2003.
Picture
Image courtesy of ZEGH8578
Picture
Interesting fact: "Incipient orbital horn cores" might be "non-existant damn-you-taphonomy bones"
The original description for this genus/species included "incipient nasal horn cores" (the lumps of bone over the eyes seen in the photo below) and a large rostrum (beak). However, there is some debate over whether the orbital horn cores which characterise this species were actually present in life, or were in fact a result of preservation as other bones around the eyes were 'squashed' down leaving the tougher "horn cores" poking up (Makovicky et al., 2006). Taphonomy strikes again!  Variation in rostrum size has been noted in other protoceratopsid genera, so the large rostrum has also been called into doubt as a defining characteristic of M. dodsoni. It has been suggested by Makovicky et al. (1996) that M. dodsoni might actually be a species of Bagaceratops, another Cretaceous Mongolian protoceratopsid.

I unfortunately don't know enough about ceratopsian anatomy to determine the validity of this myself, so until an official name change is published, it's still a valid taxon in my mind. Good luck, M. dodsoni!
Picture
A beautifully preserved skull of M. dodsoni.
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Simplified cladogram of all non-avian dinosaurs. M. dodsoni was a protoceratopsid, within marginocephalia.
References
Makovicky, P. J., Norell, M. A. 2006. Yamaceratops dorngobiensis, a new primitive ceratopsian (Dinosauria: Ornithischia) from the Cretaceous of Mongolia. American Museum Novitates 3530, 1-42.

You, H., Dong, Z. 2003. A new protoceratopsid (Dinosauria: Neoceratopsia) from the Late Cretaceous of Inner Mongolia, China. Acta Geologica Sinica 77(3):299-303
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    About the author

    Dr Caitlin Syme is a palaeontologist studying the taphonomy (preservation state) of fossil non-avian dinosaurs, crocodiles and fish from the Winton Formation, Queensland, Australia. Think forensic science or CSI for fossils, and you're on the right track!

    Posts on this blog focus mainly on vertebrate palaeontology and taphonomy, as well early career researcher (ERC) productivity tips and insights.


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