Intrducing Lokiceratops rangiformis a new Horned Dinosaur from the Campanian Judith River Formation of Montana
The creature boasted two horns between its eyes and a spiky frill at the back of its head, which sprouted the largest frill horns ever found on a dinosaur. Weighing in at more than five tons and measuring 22 feet long, Lokiceratops lived about 78 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous.
In the Press
Newly discovered dinosaur’s horns look ‘like something a heavy metal rocker would wear’
Lokiceratops, a Horned Dinosaur, May Be a New Species
Newly discovered 22ft Lokiceratops had 'largest frill horns ever' seen on a dinosaur
Sky News
A dinosaur from Montana had huge blade-like horns. It's been named after Norse god Loki.
NBC
Newly Found Dinosaur Lokiceratops Had Insane Horns Unlike Any Other
Science Alert
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Dinosaur with ‘blade-like nasal horns’ dug up in Montana may be new species
New giant dinosaur with 'bizarre' horns discovered in the wild badlands of Montana
BBC Wildlife
New horned dinosaur species discovered 'largest and most ornate' of its kind ever found
ABC News
Find out why the Lokiceratops, a new dinosaur, was named by experts from Colorado and Utah after a Norse god
CBS News
Flamboyant dinosaur with elaborate orange horns hailed as a 'sexy beast' by researchers is discovered in the ancient swamps of Montana
Daily Mail
“If you’re into dinosaurs and you love bizarre headgear on dinosaurs, this is probably the craziest, coolest horned dinosaur to come along in a really long time”
Dr. Joseph Sertich
Colorado State University
For All Readers - AI Explainer
What is Lokiceratops rangiformis?
Lokiceratops rangiformis is a newly identified species of centrosaurine ceratopsid dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous period. It was discovered in the Judith River Formation of Montana, near the Canada-USA border. This dinosaur is known for its distinctive parietosquamosal frill and unique ornamentation, setting it apart as a new genus and species.
Where was Lokiceratops rangiformis found?
This dinosaur was found in the McClelland Ferry Member of the Judith River Formation, located in the Kennedy Coulee region along the Canada-USA border. The discovery site is known for its rich fossil record from the Campanian stage of the Late Cretaceous period, about 78 million years ago.
What does the discovery of Lokiceratops rangiformis tell us about dinosaur diversity?
The discovery of Lokiceratops rangiformis highlights the high degree of regional endemism and diversity among ceratopsid dinosaurs in northern Laramidia. It reveals that multiple distinct ceratopsid species coexisted in a relatively small geographic area, suggesting rapid speciation and localized evolutionary radiations.
What is endemism, and why is it significant in this context?
Endemism refers to species that are native to and restricted within a specific geographic region. The high endemism observed in ceratopsid dinosaurs like Lokiceratops indicates that different regions within Laramidia had unique assemblages of dinosaur species. This suggests that dinosaur diversity during the Late Cretaceous was much greater than previously understood.
How does Lokiceratops fit into the broader family tree of ceratopsid dinosaurs?
Lokiceratops is closely related to Albertaceratops nesmoi and Medusaceratops lokii, forming a clade known as Albertaceratopsini. This group of dinosaurs was geographically restricted to northern Laramidia. The discovery supports the idea that multiple clades of centrosaurine ceratopsids underwent localized radiations, resulting in distinct regional species.
What factors may have driven the high speciation rates and endemism among these dinosaurs?
Several factors likely contributed to the high speciation rates and endemism, including:
- Climate-driven floral differences: Variations in plant life along latitudinal gradients could create different ecological niches.
- Dynamic tectonism: Geological activity could isolate populations, leading to divergent evolution.
- Intense sexual selection: Unique cranial ornamentation might have evolved rapidly due to mating preferences.
- Interspecific resource competition: Competition for resources could limit geographic ranges and promote diversification.
How does the discovery of Lokiceratops rangiformis change our understanding of dinosaur diversity in the Late Cretaceous?
The discovery underscores the complexity and richness of dinosaur ecosystems in the Late Cretaceous, particularly in Laramidia. It suggests that the diversity of dinosaurs was much higher than previously estimated, with many species likely remaining undiscovered due to limited fossil sampling. This highlights the importance of regional studies to fully understand the evolutionary history of dinosaurs.
What other dinosaur species were found in the same region as Lokiceratops?
In the same region, researchers have identified several other ceratopsid species, including Albertaceratops nesmoi, Medusaceratops lokii, Wendiceratops pinhornensis, and Judiceratops tigris. These discoveries indicate a high diversity of ceratopsid dinosaurs in northern Laramidia, all coexisting in close proximity.
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