2004/09/10 by Brenda Chinnery · 1 citation
Earth and Planetary Sciences · #Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology #Evolution and Paleontology Studies #Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
paper · doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2004)024[0572:doppge]2.0.co;2
openalex publication_date 2004/09/10 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
A new basal neoceratopsian genus and species, Prenoceratops pieganensis, is described from the Two Medicine Formation of Montana. This material represents the only bone-bed deposition of a basal neoceratopsian currently known, and in addition is almost entirely disarticulated allowing for a more thorough understanding of basal neoceratopsian cranial morphology. The new taxon is characterized by a lower, more sloping head than in Leptoceratops, with a nasal that is pinched caudally, a wide, triangular jugal, extremely gracile surangular, and reduced articular among other autapomorphies. A preliminary cladistic analysis unites Prenoceratops firmly with the other North American basal neoceratopsians (and one Asian taxon) in the clade Leptoceratopsidae.