| Helioceratops Fossil range: Middle Cretaceous | |
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Helioceratops Jin L. et al., 2009 |
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Helioceratops is a genus of neoceratopsian dinosaur from the Middle Cretaceous of China. The type species is H. brachygnathus, described in 2009 by a group of paleontologists led by Jin Liyong. Helioceratops was discovered in the Quantou Formation of China's eastern Jilin province.[1]
Description[]
Helioceratops was a relatively small animal. In 2010, Gregory S. Paul estimated a length of 1.3 m (4.3 ft) and a weight of twenty kilogrammes.
The describing authors established three distinguishing traits. They are autapomorphies, unique derived qualities, in this case relative to all other neoceratopsians. The ramus or horizontal branch of the dentary is deep and short, the tooth row being but 60% longer than its maximal height. The facet of the front dentary contacting the lower process of the predentary is steeply inclined under an angle of 130° with the underside edge of the dentary. On the lower jaw teeth, the denticles and secondary vertical ridges are grouped asymmetrically relative to the primary ridge, with up to nine secondary ridges in front (mesial) of the main ridge and four secondary rides at it rear (distal).
The number of teeth in the upper jaws is unknown. The lower jaws bear ten to eleven teeth. Their front teeth are relatively small, with a triangular cross-section. The rear teeth are larger and ovate in section, a derived trait.
Phylogeny[]
Helioceratops was placed in the Neoceratopsia, in a moderately basal position, outside of the Coronosauria. Its close relationship to the latter clade would indicate its origin in Asia.
Paleoecology[]
References[]
- ^ Jin Liyong; Chen Jun, Zan Shuqin and Pascal Godefroit (2009). "A New Basal Neoceratopsian Dinosaur from the Middle Cretaceous of Jilin Province, China". Acta Geologica Sinica. doi:.
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