In the late Cretaceous period, around 78 million years ago, a new species of dinosaur roamed the swamps and floodplains of what is now Montana. This dinosaur, named Lokiceratops rangiformis by researchers from Colorado State University and Utah University, was a herbivore that weighed around 11,000 pounds and measured 22 feet long. It was the largest centrosaurine ever found in North America.
Lokiceratops had an impressive set of horns that made it stand out from other dinosaurs of its time. Its frill was adorned with at least 20 horns, including a pair of large, curved blade-like horns that resembled caribou antlers. These horns were the largest ever observed on a dinosaur's frill.
The discovery of Lokiceratops is significant because it suggests that all five dinosaur species found in the same region during the late Cretaceous period were geographically limited to this distinct locale. This challenges previous beliefs that these species had wide ranges across North America.
Lokiceratops was named for Loki, a Norse god with horns, and translates to 'Loki's horned face that looks like a caribou.' The first fossil of this dinosaur is housed at the Museum of Evolution in Maribo, Denmark. A replica will be displayed at the Natural History Museum of Utah in Salt Lake City.
Researchers from various institutions, including Utah University and Colorado State University, made the discovery. The team analyzed fossils found in Montana's Judith River Formation and Kennedy Coulee badlands. They used CT scans to study the skull and other bones to determine the dinosaur's size, shape, and features.
The end of the Cretaceous period marked the end for horned dinosaurs like Lokiceratops. The exact cause of their extinction is unknown, but it is believed that a combination of factors such as climate change and asteroid impact played a role.
Lokiceratops was not alone in its community. Several other centrosaurine species inhabited the same area, each with unique anatomies for their horns and frills. The endemism present in centrosaurines is greater than in any other group of dinosaurs.
The discovery of Lokiceratops adds to our understanding of the diversity and complexity of the dinosaur world. It also highlights the importance of continued research and exploration to uncover new insights into our planet's natural history.
