DINOSAUR experts have unearthed a well-preserved Styracosaurus skull, leading scientists to “re-evaluate” a longstanding theory about the ancient reptiles.
University of Alberta researchers have discovered a well-preserved Styracosaurus skull — and its facial imperfections may change how paleontologists identify new dinosaur species. The skull was discovered by then graduate student Scott Persons in 2015, during an expedition in the badlands northwest of Dinosaur Provincial Park.
When parts of one side of the skull were missing, paleontologists have ᴀssumed that the missing side was symmetrical to the one that was preserved
Dinosaur discovery: Styracosaurus a horned dinosaur more than 5m in length with a fan of long horns (Image: Getty)
Dinosaur discovery: Fossils once ᴀssumed to be unique species will have to be re-evaluated (Image: Getty)
“Hannah shows dramatically that dinosaurs could be the same way.”
The differences in the skull’s left and right sides are so extreme, the paleontologists may have concluded that they belong to two different species, had they found only isolated halves.
Professor Holmes said: “The skull shows how much morphological variability there was in the genus.
“Like the antlers of modern deer and moose, Hannah shows the pattern of dinosaur horns could vary significantly, meaning some fossils that were once ᴀssumed to be unique species will have to be re-evaluated.”
Tradition dictates the person who finds an important dinosaur specimen gets to give it a nickname.
“Hannah the dinosaur is named after my dog,” explained Persons, now a professor and museum curator at the College of Charleston.
“She’s a good dog, and I knew she was home missing me while I was away on the expedition.”
Despite the nickname, paleontologists have no way of knowing if the dinosaur was female.
Dinosaur discovery: The skull shows how much morphological variability there was in the genus (Image: Scott Persons)
They have, however, learned other details from the skull from a partnership with researchers in the Faculty of Engineering.
Professor Persons said: “Ahmed Qureshi and graduate student Baltej Rupal in the Faculty of Engineering ᴀssisted us in performing a 3D laser scan of the skull.
“That let our publication to include a digital reconstruction, allowing scientists all over the world to download the 3D model and inspect it in detail.”
“This is the future of paleontological collections: digital dinosaurs.”
