Re: Triceratops questions

[Tim Williams <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

Jean-Michel Benoit wrote:

> I remember that, when I was young, _Triceratops
> calicornis_ was, AFAIR, the most famous species of _T._.
> I know that since that time _T. horridus_ has been
> assigned to that peculiar species. I find calicornis
> sounds better than horridus (for a child's mind). My
> questions are: since when horridus has taken over
> calicornis, and for how long this last one has been used
> (before horridus became the officical species name, by
> precedence I presume)?

_Triceratops horridus_ (originally _Ceratops horridus_) is the type species 
for _Triceratops_, so it will always have priority over _Triceratops 
calicornis_ in the event that the two are synonymous (as appears to be the 
case).  Both species were named by Marsh: _horridus_ in 1889, _calicornis_ 
in 1898.

In her 1996 study of the genus _Triceratops_, Cathy Forster recognized only 
two valid species: _T. horridus_ and _T. prorsus_.  She also regarded 
_Diceratops hatcheri_ as a valid genus and species.

Cheers

Tim