MSU Press release:
http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/nwview.php?article=8635
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Denver Fowler
df9465@yahoo.co.uk
http://www.denverfowler.com
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----- Original Message ----
From: Denver Fowler<df9465@yahoo.co.uk>
To: DML<dinosaur@usc.edu>
Sent: Tue, 13 July, 2010 13:17:14
Subject: Torosaurus is Triceratops
Paper is out in the new JVP: on the Taylor and Francis website:
http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all~content=a924306967~frm=abslink
Torosaurus Marsh, 1891, is Triceratops Marsh, 1889 (Ceratopsidae:
Chasmosaurinae): synonymy through ontogeny
John B. Scannella; John R. Horner
ABSTRACT
Although they have been considered distinct genera for over a century,
ontogenetic analyses reveal that Triceratops and âTorosaurusâ actually
represent growth stages of a single genus. Major changes in cranial
morphologyâincluding the opening of parietal fenestrae and the elongation of
the squamosalsâoccur rapidly, very late in Triceratops ontogeny and result in
the characteristic 'Torosaurus' morphology. This report presents the results of
a 10-year field study of the dinosaurs of the Hell Creek Formation in Montana
and is based on a collection of over 50 specimens of Triceratops, including
over 30 skulls, which have been amassed in that time, in addition to
specimens
from numerous other North American museums. This large sample of individuals
reveals the full ontogenetic spectrum of Triceratops. The synonymy of
Triceratops and 'Torosaurus' contributes to an unfolding view of extremely
reduced dinosaur diversity just before the end of the Mesozoic Era
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Denver Fowler
df9465@yahoo.co.uk
http://www.denverfowler.com
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