Description Anchiceratops

restoration, generalised chasmosaurine rump, not based on nmc 8547

like other ceratopsids, a. ornatus quadrupedal herbivore 3 horns on face, parrot-like beak, , long frill extending of head. 2 horns above eyes longer single horn on snout, in other chasmosaurines.

size comparison using typical chasmosaurine body.

anchiceratops medium-sized ceratopsid. if specimen nmc 8547 not taken account, no exact estimations of body length of anchiceratops can given. popular science book state approached 20 feet (6 m) in length. in 2010 gregory s. paul, on assumption specimen nmc 8547 represented anchiceratops, estimated length @ 4.3 metres, weight @ 1.2 tonnes.

rom 802, skull in royal ontario museum

anchiceratops frills distinctive. rectangular in shape, frill edged large epoccipitals, osteoderms in form of triangular bony projections. these exceptionally wide , coarse. of these epoccipitals on side of frill, formed squamosal; these episquamosals vary between 5 , 9 in number. last episquamosal large, approaching size of 3 osteoderms per side on rear edge of frill, epiparietals. characteristic feature pair of bony knobs located on either side of midline, towards end of frill. these pointing sideways , variable in form , size between individuals. parietal bone, forming rear edge , middle of frill, has smaller parietal fenestrae, window-like openings, seen in other chasmosaurines pentaceratops , torosaurus. frill has deep arterial grooves on both upper , underside.

specimen nmc 8547, on traditionally descriptions of postcrania of anchiceratops have been based, has many traits unique in chasmosaurinae. vertebral column contains seventy-four vertebrae: ten of neck, thirteen dorsals, twelve sacrals , thirty-nine caudals. typically chasmosaurines have twelve dorsals, ten sacrals , forty-six tail vertebrae. mallon presumed synsacrum, fused vertebrae supporting pelvis, had shifted rear. neck of nmc 8547 exceptionally long, 4 syncervicals, fused anterior cervical vertebrae. pelvis long. tail short. forelimbs robust, large deltopectoral crest on humerus, indicating heavy musculature.