Zuniceratops

The Zuniceratops ( horned face of the Zuni ) was discovered in 1996 by the young person Christopher James Wolfe, 8 years, wire of the paleontologist Douglas G. Wolfe, in the formation of Moreno Hill, with the New Mexico. A cranium and the bones of some individuals were found.

The zunicératops seems to have measured from 3 to 3.5 meters length and approximately 1 meter in height to the Garrot, for a weight from approximately 100 to 150 kilos. The flange had fenestrations, but not Exoccipital. It is a question of oldest the cératopsien known to raise horns to the top of the eyes. It is believed that these horns could grow with the age.

The zunicératops is an good example of evolutionary transition between the primitive cératopsiens like Protoceratops and most recent and larger cératopsiens, with the broad flanges and well developed horns. That supports the theory according to which the line of the cératopsiens is native of North America and not of Asia such as generally accepted.

Although the first specimen discovered had only teeth with only one root, rather uncommon fact at the cératopsiens, of the fossils found later on show teeth with double root, suggesting that the teeth of the animal became with double root with the age. It acted, like all his parents, of a Herbivore, and probably of an alive gregarious animal in herd.

Internal bonds

See List of the dinosaurs

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Simple: Zuniceratops

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