A new species of horned dinosaur has been discovered in northern Montana and was recently published in the journal PeerJ. Named Lokiceratops rangiformis after the Norse god Loki, this plant-eating dinosaur lived around eighty million years ago. The name was chosen due to the resemblance of the horns on its head to the blades on Loki’s helmet, and its skull is currently housed in the Museum of Evolution in Denmark.
The second part of the name, rangiformis, signifies that the horns of this dinosaur are not symmetrical, similar to caribou. The discovery of its bones on private land in a fossil-rich area led researchers to initially believe it was a known dinosaur, Medusaceratops lokii. However, upon further examination, they realized that it was an entirely different species.
In the region where Lokiceratops was found, researchers have identified five distinct species of ceratops. This indicates the high diversity and rapid evolution of dinosaur populations during that time period. Scientists believe that there is still much to learn about the variety of dinosaurs that existed in this area.
The study of dinosaur diversity is ongoing, and researchers are just beginning to uncover the vast array of species that once roamed the earth. The discovery of Lokiceratops adds to our understanding of prehistoric life and the fascinating world of dinosaurs. Stay tuned for more exciting discoveries as paleontologists continue to unearth new information about these ancient creatures.
