Dinosaur with 'bizarre' horns discovered in the wild badlands of Montana
A new dinosaur, Lokiceratops rangiformis, discovered in Montana from 78 million years ago, showcases unique horned features. The finding reveals insights into regional dinosaur evolution and highlights diversity in Cretaceous species.
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A new dinosaur named Lokiceratops rangiformis has been discovered in Montana, dating back 78 million years to the Late Cretaceous period. This ceratopsid dinosaur is characterized by a pair of large, curved, blade-like spikes on the upper edge of its frill, making it one of the most ornate horned dinosaurs found. The discovery sheds light on the region-specific evolution of giant herbivores in Montana. Lokiceratops lacked a nose horn, had asymmetrical spikes on its frill midline, and sported the largest frill horns ever seen in a ceratopsid. The dinosaur lived in a vastly different environment compared to present-day Montana, with tropical swamps and forests covering the region. The finding also highlights the high endemism among centrosaurine species, suggesting a potentially underestimated diversity of Cretaceous dinosaurs. This discovery adds to the growing complexity of the ceratopsid family tree and showcases the unique adaptations of horned dinosaurs in prehistoric ecosystems.
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