Re: South American ceratopsians (?)

[Tom Holtz <tholtz@geochange.er.usgs.gov>]

>A recent announcement mentioned ceratopsian footprints from Bolivia.  I've
>been under the impression that all known ceratopsians are from North
>America and Asia; although their presence in South America is reasonable,
>it would surprise me.
>
>Are there any references on South American ceratopsians?

All current references to South American ceratopsians are very
questionable.  The only bony material, a partial lower jaw which is the
type of Notoceratops bonarelli (spelling on the trivial nomen?), which has
since been lost and is only questionably ceratopsid (it may in fact be
hadrosaurid!).

Given that footprints from North American ceratopsids have yet to be firmly
established, and that all ceratopsids likely had similar footprints, the
Bolivian tracks are questionable as to being a) ceratopsian and b)
Triceratops.  It wouldn't be unlikley for ceratopsians to make it there, as
during the Maastrichtian regression titanosaurids moved from South America
north and advanced and primitive hadrosaurids moved from North America
south.  It just hasn't been securely shown.

These trackways do sound tempting, though...

                                
Thomas R. Holtz, Jr.                                   
tholtz@geochange.er.usgs.gov
Vertebrate Paleontologist in Exile                  Phone:      703-648-5280
U.S. Geological Survey                                FAX:      703-648-5420
Branch of Paleontology & Stratigraphy
MS 970 National Center
Reston, VA  22092
U.S.A.