Biology:Rhinorex

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Short description: Extinct genus of reptiles

Rhinorex
Temporal range: Late Cretaceous, 75 Ma
Rhinorex condrupus skull.jpg
Holotype skull
Scientific classification e
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Dinosauria
Clade: Ornithischia
Clade: Ornithopoda
Family: Hadrosauridae
Subfamily: Saurolophinae
Tribe: Kritosaurini
Genus: Rhinorex
Gates & Scheetz, 2014
Type species
Rhinorex condrupus
Gates & Scheetz, 2014

Rhinorex is a genus of kritosaurin hadrosaur from the Late Cretaceous Neslen Formation, in central Utah. Its exact placement in time is uncertain, though it probably dates to 75 million years ago and was discovered in estuarine sediments.[1]

Discovery

Skin impressions

The holotype specimen BYU 13258 is composed of a partial but mostly articulated skeleton, which includes the skull, the vertebral column, a partial pelvis, and skin impressions.[1]

The type and only species known is Rhinorex condrupus. The genus name is derived from the Greek word "rhinos" which means "nose", and the Latin word "rex" which means "king." The specific name is derived from the Latin word "condo" which means "bury" and refers to the specimen being buried in rock and the Latin word "rupes" which means "cliffs" and is a reference to the fossil being discovered in the Book Cliffs of Utah.[1]

Classification

Life restoration

It is likely a close relative of Gryposaurus, and indeed some have suggested that it falls within the genus Gryposaurus, as the phylogenetic analysis indicates.[1]

It is found in a very similar time and place as Gryposaurus monumentensis and Gryposaurus sp. This would challenge the idea of provincialism in Late Cretaceous Laramidian faunas. It may be that Rhinorex lived in more coastal environments than Gryposaurus.[1]

See also

References

Wikidata ☰ Q18091433 entry