Microceratus
Name:
Microceratus
(Small horned).
Phonetic: Mi-krow-seh-rah-tus.
Named By: O. Mateus - 2008.
Synonyms: Microceratops gobiensis
Classification: Chordata, Reptilia, Dinosauria,
Ornithischia, Ceratopsia, Neoceratopsia.
Species: M. gobiensis
(type).
Diet: Herbivore.
Size: Roughly about 60 centimetres long.
Known locations: Mongolia.
Time period: Cenomanian of the Cretaceous.
Fossil representation: Partial remains.
Microceratus
was actually first named all the way back in 1953 as Microceratops
from partial remains discovered in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. Just
over fifty years later however it was realised that Microceratops
had
already been used to name a genus of wasp, and so this dinosaur was
renamed as Microceratus.
Microceratops
was a very small ceratopsian
dinosaur that was likely bipedal for
greater mobility. A bipedal stance and small size would mean that
Microceratops was a fairly agile and fast running
dinosaur, important
adaptations as Microceratus would likely have been
hunted by small
theropod dinosaurs such as dromaeosaurs
and troodonts.
The neck frill
that grew from the back of the skull was fairly small and likely used
for display more than defence.
Further reading
- Fossil reptiles from Mongolia and Kansu. Reports from the
Scientific Expedition to the North-western Provinces of China under
Leadership of Dr. Sven Hedin. VI. Vertebrate Palaeontology 6.
The Sino-Swedish Expedition Publication 37:1-113. - B. Bohlin
- 1953.
- Two ornithischian dinosaurs renamed: Microceratops
Bohlin 1953
and Diceratops Lull 1905. - Journal of
Paleontology 82
(2): 423. - O. Mateus - 2008.
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