Description and Classification

Bakesaurus was a medium-sized hadrosaur, or “duck-billed” dinosaur, estimated to be around 8 to 9 meters (26 to 30 feet) in length and weighing between 2 to 3 metric tons (2.2 to 3.3 short tons). Like other hadrosaurs, it possessed a characteristic flattened, duck-like beak, which was toothless at the front but contained hundreds of tightly packed cheek teeth forming dental batteries. These teeth were constantly replaced and were ideal for grinding tough plant material. Bakesaurus could move on both two legs (bipedally) for running and on all four legs (quadrupedally), likely for grazing or slower movement.

This dinosaur is classified within the Ornithischia order, belonging to the family Hadrosauridae. More specifically, it is considered a member of the Saurolophinae subfamily (also known as Hadrosaurinae), which includes hadrosaurs that generally lacked large, hollow cranial crests, though some, like Bakesaurus, had solid bony adornments. Its anatomy suggests it was a more generalized browser compared to some of its highly specialized relatives like Parasaurolophus with its elaborate hollow crest, or the very large Edmontosaurus.

Distinguishing Features

Bakesaurus can be identified by several unique characteristics:

• A moderately sized, solid, bony boss or bump located on the top of its snout, just in front of the eyes. This feature was likely more prominent in adult males and may have been used for display or species recognition.
• The beak (rostrum) was proportionally broader at the tip compared to other saurolophines of similar size, such as Gryposaurus, suggesting a slightly different feeding strategy.
• Its forelimbs were relatively robust for a hadrosaur of its size, indicating it may have spent a significant amount of time supporting its weight on all fours while feeding.
• The neural spines on its tail vertebrae were slightly taller than those of closely related genera, suggesting a deeper, more powerful tail, possibly used for balance or display.

Paleoenvironment and Diet

Bakesaurus inhabited the coastal plains and forested river valleys of Late Cretaceous North America, an environment similar to that preserved in formations like the Hell Creek Formation or Lance Formation. This ecosystem was warm and humid, supporting a rich diversity of plant life, including conifers, ferns, cycads, and flowering plants, which would have formed the diet of Bakesaurus. As a herbivore, it used its beak to crop vegetation and its dental batteries to efficiently grind it down. It likely fed on plants at low to medium heights.

It shared its world with numerous other dinosaurs, including the formidable predator Tyrannosaurus rex, large ceratopsians like Triceratops, armored ankylosaurs such as Ankylosaurus, and smaller theropods and ornithopods. The presence of Bakesaurus fossils alongside these creatures helps paleontologists build a more complete picture of this ancient ecosystem.

Significance and Ongoing Research

The discovery of Bakesaurus provides valuable information about the diversity and evolution of hadrosaurid dinosaurs in North America just before the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event. Its unique cranial boss contributes to the understanding of social behavior and display structures within this group. Comparing Bakesaurus with other saurolophines helps to clarify relationships within the Hadrosauridae family.

Ongoing research on Bakesaurus includes more detailed studies of its skull anatomy to better understand the function of its nasal boss and how it differed from the crests of dinosaurs like Saurolophus. Paleontologists are also analyzing wear patterns on its teeth to gain more precise insights into its preferred diet. Further fossil discoveries may reveal more about its growth stages, potential herd behavior, and geographic range. Isotopic analysis of Bakesaurus bones could also provide clues about its migratory patterns and the specific environment it favored.