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First ceratopsian from Mississippi


DD1991

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A news article regarding a newly discovered ceratopsian tooth from Mississippi is available at the following link:

http://www.wdam.com/story/32562654/paleontologists-make-big-dinosaur-discovery-in-mississippi

The ceratopsian tooth from Mississippi is the second discovery of a Late Cretaceous horned dinosaur from Appalachia. We can't be sure if we didn't put enough effort into finding ceratopsian fossils in marine sediments in the former landmass of Appalachia, or if the ceratopsian discoveries in North Carolina and Mississippi could be reflective of ceratopsian carcasses floating out to sea after they died. Nevertheless, the ceratopsian tooth from Mississippi indicates that some North American horned dinosaurs immigrated to Appalachia from the western interior during the middle Cretaceous.

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Interesting.

Re ceratopsian teeth. The challenge is actually recognizing these teeth in the field. Ceratopsian teeth, especially sheds, are common, but difficult to spot. We might find a hundred sheds for every non shed and, unless looked at with an experienced eye, could be discarded as a piece of gravel.

There is a real collecting bias against finding fossils that dont offer a distinct shape. Here in Alberta friends get more excited over finding a complete ceratopsian tooth than that of a Tyrannosaur. The latter would be recognized even by a novice. In contrast a ceratopsian tooth needs to be at a certain angle for it's shape to catch the eye.

Anyways. If they found 'a' tooth, there are many waiting to be found.

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Interesting report. Im a bit skeptical since the preservation looks very crisp for a creek find. These teeth are very fragile and that crown looks real good. Hopefully it's authentic.

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