Dilophosaurus's two species, moreover, may be sexually
dimorphic representatives, crested females to attract males (in this case,
males being the crestless forms known as Liliensternus) -- speculation,
to be sure, but more viable than the heterosexist filters one encounters
(e.g., the gaudily frilled ceratopsians are often described as "male" to
entice females; this is nonsense: ceratopsians were female-dominated). The
point is: theropods were logically matrilineal, and "horns", "crests", etc.
visual signals for smaller, drab males.
Mahzel tov, dinosaurily. Stephan
P
I'm confused as to what you are basing this on. As was
pointed out it is quite rare for female birds or crocodilians (or
vertebrates in general) to be dominant over males or to be more
gaudy. They almost always either look the same or the males are
larger and/or more colorful. How can you state as fact that ceratopsians
were female dominated? Its impossible to prove and does not hold water
in todays world either. It makes much more sense that the males would be
more gaudy so the females can choose the best ones. I don't think the
males would need a lot of "visual signals" to get to the
females.