Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
In a significant discovery, scientists have uncovered a new species of horned dinosaur that once inhabited the subtropical coastal plains of northern Montana, USA, approximately 78 million years ago.
The dinosaur, named Lokiceratops rangiformis, draws its name from Loki, the Norse god known for his distinctive two-horned crown, reflecting the unique horn configuration of the dinosaur. The character of Loki, played by actor Tom Hiddleston, became famous after Avengers movie series.
Measuring about 22 feet in length and weighing around 5-1/2 tons, Lokiceratops boasted prominent horns, including two large curved horns above its eyes and a pair of blade-shaped horns on its frill, each approximately two feet long.
This discovery expands our knowledge of ceratopsian dinosaurs and their ecological roles, challenging previous understandings.
Paleontologist Joe Sertich suggests that Lokiceratops’ elaborate headgear likely served for display, possibly in rivalry or mating rituals, while its powerful beak indicates a diet of low-growing vegetation.
Artwork by Fabrizio Lavezzi é Evolutionsmuseet, Knuthenborg
Surprisingly, Lokiceratops inhabited its environment alongside four other species of horned dinosaurs, suggesting a high diversity of ceratopsians in a single ecosystem.
Similar to modern bovids in Africa, the coexistence of multiple ceratopsian species in a limited region points to rapid evolutionary processes during the Cretaceous Period.
Fossils found near the U.S.-Canada border provide insights into the diverse Laramidia ecosystem, enhancing our understanding of prehistoric biodiversity and ecological dynamics.