Monolophosaurus ‭(‬Single crested lizard‭)

Monolophosaurus is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived during the Middle Jurassic period, approximately 174 million years ago. The name Monolophosaurus means “single-crested lizard” in reference to the single crest on its skull.

Monolophosaurus was a carnivorous dinosaur that measured up to 6 meters (20 feet) in length and weighed about 500 kg (1100 lbs). It had a narrow skull with a long, pointed snout, and a large crest on top of its head. This crest was formed by an extension of the nasal bones, and it is thought that it may have been used for display or species recognition.

Fossils of Monolophosaurus have been found in the Shishugou Formation in northwestern China. These fossils include a well-preserved skull and partial skeleton. It is believed that Monolophosaurus was a top predator in its environment, preying on small and medium-sized herbivorous dinosaurs.

Monolophosaurus is a member of the family Sinraptoridae, a group of large theropods that lived in Asia during the Jurassic period. It is closely related to Sinraptor, another large theropod that lived in China around the same time. These dinosaurs are important for understanding the evolution of the large predatory dinosaurs that dominated the Jurassic landscape.