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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

North Dakota Geological Society

Abstract

NDGS-AAPG

The Marshall Lambert Symposium, Sponsored by the Pioneer Trails Museum, Bowman, North Dakota, June 19-20, 1993

Pages 24 - 24

ABSTRACT: DID PACHYCEPHALOSAURS (ORNITHISCHIA: DINOSAURIA) REALLY BUTT HEADS?

Kenneth Carpenter, Department of Earth Sciences, Denver Museum of Natural History, Denver, Colorado 80205

The hypothesis that pachycephalosaur dinosaurs used their massive dome heads in headto- head butting is reexamined. Such behavior would seem anatomically unlikely. Instead, flank butting is suggested by the available evidence.

Two types of flank butting are recognized. One type was seen in Pachycephalosaurus, Prenocephale, and Stegoceros, all of which have thickened cranial domes. Such domes would maximize the mass of the head in flank-directed blows. The second type of butting was seen in Stygimoloch. The squamosal horns seem to be an adaptation for causing maximum pain locally during flank butting, but without causing serious injury.

A new reconstruction of the skull and head of Stygimoloch is presented. The head restoration differs from previous versions in that the squamosal horns are directed more laterally than dorsally. In addition, the shelf above the orbital is much broader than in other pachycephalosaurs.

Notes