Lophorhothon ‭(crested nose‭)

Lophorhothon was named for its crested nose, which was a prominent feature of its skull. The name is derived from the Greek words “lophos,” meaning “crest,” and “rhothon,” meaning “nose.” The species name, “atopus,” means “uncommon” or “strange” in Greek.

The original holotype specimen of Lophorhothon was discovered in the Mooreville Chalk Formation in Alabama in the 1940s, and consists of a disarticulated and fragmentary skull as well as an incomplete postcranial structure. A more complete specimen was discovered in Alabama in 2021, which may provide new insights into the anatomy and biology of this dinosaur.

Saurolophines were a diverse group of hadrosaurids that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 84-71 million years ago. They were found in many parts of the world, including North America, Asia, and Europe. Some saurolophines, like Lophorhothon, had crests on their heads that were likely used for display or communication.

Studying fossils like those of Lophorhothon can help paleontologists better understand the diversity of life in the past, and shed light on the evolution of different groups of animals. It’s fascinating to think about what the world was like when Lophorhothon was alive, and to imagine what it would have been like to see these creatures in their natural habitats.