Albertaceratops (al-BERT-uh-SARE-uh-tops; “Alberta horned face”) is a genus of centrosaurine ceratopsid dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 77.5 million years ago. Its fossils were discovered in the Oldman Formation of Alberta, Canada, which inspired its name. Albertaceratops was first named and described by paleontologist Michael J. Ryan in 2007 based on a single, well-preserved skull. This dinosaur is notable for having features that are a mix of what is typically seen in two different groups of horned dinosaurs.
Description and Classification
Albertaceratops was a medium-sized quadrupedal herbivore, estimated to be about 6 meters (20 feet) long and weighing around 2 to 3 metric tons. Like other ceratopsians, it had a large bony frill at the back of its skull and horns. Uniquely, Albertaceratops possessed very long brow horns above its eyes, a feature more commonly associated with chasmosaurine ceratopsids such as Triceratops. However, it also had a shorter, solid boss or small horn on its nose and other features of its frill that classify it as a member of the Centrosaurinae subfamily.
Its frill was adorned with two prominent, outwardly curving hook-like horns on its upper edge. It also had a parrot-like beak used for snipping off vegetation, which was then processed by batteries of teeth further back in its jaws. Despite its long brow horns, detailed analysis of its skull places Albertaceratops as an early or basal member of the Centrosaurinae, a group that includes dinosaurs like Centrosaurus and Styracosaurus. This combination of traits makes Albertaceratops an interesting example of evolutionary variation within horned dinosaurs.
Distinguishing Features
- Exceptionally long brow horns, which are unusual for a centrosaurine dinosaur.
- A relatively short, solid bony boss or small horn above the nose.
- A bony frill at the back of the skull featuring two large, distinctive, outward-curving hornlets on its upper margin.
- Other smaller, low bumps and projections along the edge of the frill.
Paleoenvironment and Diet
Albertaceratops lived in what is now Alberta, Canada, during the Late Cretaceous period. At that time, the region was a coastal plain with a warm, humid climate, characterized by extensive river systems, floodplains, and lush forests. This environment supported a diverse ecosystem of dinosaurs. Albertaceratops shared its habitat with other herbivorous dinosaurs such as hadrosaurs like Parasaurolophus and Corythosaurus, and armored ankylosaurs. Predatory dinosaurs in this environment included tyrannosaurids, such as Daspletosaurus, and smaller theropods.
As a herbivore, Albertaceratops would have used its sharp beak to crop low-growing plants like ferns, cycads, and early flowering plants. Its frill and horns were likely used for display to attract mates or intimidate rivals, for species recognition, and possibly as a form of defense against predators.
Significance and Ongoing Research
The discovery of Albertaceratops has been significant for paleontology because it challenges previous clear-cut distinctions between the two main groups of horned dinosaurs, Centrosaurinae and Chasmosaurinae, particularly regarding horn arrangements. Its combination of long brow horns (typically chasmosaurine) with other centrosaurine characteristics provides valuable information about the early evolution and diversity within the Centrosaurinae subfamily. It demonstrates that the evolutionary paths of these dinosaurs were complex and involved various combinations of traits.
Ongoing research continues to focus on better understanding the anatomy and evolutionary relationships of Albertaceratops. Scientists are interested in how its unique features, such as the long brow horns, evolved and what their specific functions might have been. Future fossil discoveries could provide more skeletal material, helping to paint a more complete picture of this dinosaur and its place within the rich faunas of Late Cretaceous North America. Studying Albertaceratops helps paleontologists understand the intricate patterns of ceratopsian evolution.