Newest Neoceratopsian Dino from China - Auroraceratops

[Patti <pkv1@erols.com>]

A little tidbit from the SVP meeting: (Although available on-line, (don't 
have the link at the moment) I have the Pdf) - Patti Kane-Vanni
This just published this past week in the Chinese Geological Journal. Vol. 
79 No. 5 pp. 593-597 ACTA GEOLOGICA SINICA Oct. 2005

On a New Genus of Basal Neoceratopsian Dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous of 
Gansu Province, China
YOU Hailu, LI Daqing, JI Qiang, Matthew C. LAMANNA and Peter DODSON

Abstract: A new genus and species of basal neoceratopsian dinosaur, 
Auroraceratops rugosus, is reported based on material from the Early 
Cretaceous Xinminpu Group in the Gongpoquan Basin of Gansu Province, China. 
Auroraceratops is represented by a nearly complete skull and low jaws, and 
different greatly from all other neoceratopsians by its considerable breadth 
of the nasals, fungiform expansion of the dorsal end of the lacrimal, highly 
developed rugosity of the jugal, dentary and surangular, and inflated, 
striated premaxillary teeth. The finding of Auroraceratops adds diversity 
and helps elucidate the evolution of basal neoceratopsian dinosaurs.
Key words: Dinosauria, Neoceratopsia, Early Cretaceous, Xinminpu Group, 
Gongpoquan Basin, Gansu Province

1) Introduction
The Mazongshan area in northwestern China yields a  diverse dinosaur 
assemblage, including members of  Theropoda, Sauropoda, Ankylosauridae, 
Euornithopoda,  and Ceratopsia (Dong, 1997; You, 2002). This assemblage  is 
characterized by several well-established taxa, such as the basal 
neoceratopsian Archaeoceratops oshimai (Dong . and Azuma, 1997; You and 
Dodson, 2003), the basal  hadrosauroid Equijubus normani (You et al., 
2003a), and  the basal titanosaurian Gobititan shenzhouensis (You et al., 
2003b). The dinosaur-bearing Xinminpu Group in this area  is late Early 
Cretaceous in age, and deposited in a  fluviolacustrine environment under a 
semiarid and Auroraceratops rugosus sp. nov. subtropical climate (Tang et 
al., 2001).

The specimen reported here was discovered from the Gongpoquan Basin in the 
Mazongshan area by the Fossil , Research and Development Center of the Third 
Geology and Mineral Resources Exploration Academy of Gansu  Province. The 
morphology of the new specimen differs  greatly from that of 
Archaeoceratops, which was recovered  from the same basin, and represents a 
new genus and  species. An Early Cretaceous New Genus of Basal 
Neoceratopsian Dinosaur from Gansu You et al.

2) Systematic Paleontology
Dinosauria, Owen, 1842, Ornithischia, Seeley, 1888, Ceratopsia, Marsh, 1890, 
Neoceratopsia, Sereno, 1986, Auroraceratops gen. nov.
Type Species: Auroraceratops rugosus sp. nov.
Etymology: The name refers to its status as an early neoceratopsian, but 
also honors Dawn Dodson (Latin "aurora" = dawn)
Diagnosis: As for the type and only species.
Holotype: A nearly complete skull and jaws. IG-2004-VD-001: Institute of 
Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China.
Etymology: The name refers to the rugose nature of the skull and jaws.
Locality and Horizon: Gongpoquan Basin, Gansu Province, P. R. China; 
Xinminpu Group, late Early Cretaceous (Tang et al., 2001).
Diagnosis: A short-faced basal neoceratopsian of moderate size distinguished 
by great breadth of the nasals, fungiform expansion of the dorsal end of the 
lacrimal, highly developed rugosity of the jugal, dentary and surangular, 
horizontal caudally directed processes of the pterygoid covering 
basisphenoid and basipterygoid articulation ventrally, and inflated, 
striated premaxillary teeth.

Patricia Kane-Vanni
pkv1@erols.com or paleopatti@hotmail.com
http://groups.msn.com/DinosaurandFossilDigs

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always do that, but really great ones make you feel that you too, can become 
great." - Mark Twain