Description and Classification

Barsboldia was a large dinosaur, likely reaching lengths of around 9 to 12 meters (30 to 40 feet) and weighing several tons. As a hadrosaurid, it walked on two or four legs and had a specialized dental system with hundreds of teeth packed together to grind tough plant material. Though a skull hasn’t been found, paleontologists believe Barsboldia belongs to the Lambeosaurinae subfamily of hadrosaurs. Lambeosaurines, like Corythosaurus and Parasaurolophus, are known for their elaborate hollow crests on their heads, but it’s unknown if Barsboldia possessed such a crest.

The classification of Barsboldia has been discussed by scientists. Its most notable features are its unusually tall neural spines on some of its vertebrae (backbones), leading some to initially question its placement within Hadrosauridae. However, detailed studies of its hip bones and other features support its identity as a hadrosaur, likely related to other large lambeosaurines from Asia and North America. Its precise relationships are still being studied, pending more complete fossil discoveries.

Distinguishing Features

Barsboldia can be identified by several key characteristics seen in its partial skeleton:

• Extremely tall neural spines on the vertebrae of its back, hips, and the base of its tail. These spines were significantly taller than those found in many other hadrosaurs.
• A robust and distinctively shaped ilium (the largest bone in the pelvis).
• Overall large body size, placing it among the larger known hadrosaur species.

Paleoenvironment and Diet

Barsboldia lived in the Nemegt Formation of Mongolia, which during the Late Cretaceous was a floodplain environment with many rivers, streams, and lush vegetation. This was a wetter and more forested habitat compared to older dinosaur-bearing rock formations in Mongolia. Barsboldia shared this environment with a diverse range of other dinosaurs. Predators included the giant tyrannosaurid Tarbosaurus. Other herbivores included fellow hadrosaurs like Saurolophus, the long-necked titanosaurian sauropods, armored ankylosaurs like Tarchia, and unusual dinosaurs such as the giant ornithomimosaur Deinocheirus and the scythe-clawed Therizinosaurus.

As a hadrosaurid, Barsboldia was a herbivore. It would have used its broad beak to crop vegetation and its complex dental batteries to chew leaves, twigs, and possibly fruits from conifers, ferns, and early flowering plants that grew in its environment.

Significance and Ongoing Research

Barsboldia is significant because it adds to our understanding of hadrosaur diversity in Asia during the Late Cretaceous. Its tall neural spines are particularly intriguing, and their function is still debated. They might have supported a fleshy ridge or sail along the back for display, to help individuals recognize each other, or for regulating body temperature, though a display function is often considered most likely.

Ongoing research focuses on comparing Barsboldia’s known bones with those of other hadrosaurs to better understand its evolutionary relationships and its place within the Lambeosaurinae. The lack of a skull remains a major challenge. The discovery of more complete remains, especially a skull, would be crucial to confirm its classification, learn about any potential head crest, and provide more insights into the appearance and biology of this large Mongolian duck-billed dinosaur.