Paleontologists have made significant strides in understanding Europe’s elusive ceratopsians through newly discovered fossils and advanced imaging techniques. Notably, the iguanodon has been reclassified as a true member of the ceratopsian clade.
Ceratopsians are a fascinating group of herbivorous ornithischian dinosaurs recognized for their unique parrot-like beaks, bony frills, and distinctive horns.
These remarkable creatures thrived primarily during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 100 to 66 million years ago.
While ceratopsian fossils are plentiful in Asia and North America, they are notably scarce in Europe.
Previously, evidence in Europe consisted of only a few incomplete and contentious specimens.
The recent discovery of new, well-preserved fossils of Aikaceratops from the Late Cretaceous in Hungary has sparked new research employing CT scans and thorough evolutionary analysis.
Initially described in 2010, Aikaceratops has faced controversy, with some experts regarding it as a horned dinosaur and others viewing it as a distant relative of the ceratopsians, particularly the iguanodon. Despite the debate, it exhibits traits that suggest ceratopsian characteristics.
Utilizing new skull material, Professor Susannah Maidment from the Natural History Museum and the University of Birmingham, along with her colleagues, determined that the dinosaur is not only a ceratopsian but also part of the previously identified rhabdodontid family, which includes Moclodon.
The analysis revealed that several previously misclassified dinosaurs assumed to be rhabdodontids were in fact ceratopsians.
“Although iguanodon and triceratops appear distinctly different, they share a common ancestor, inheriting certain traits,” Professor Maidment stated.
“Both groups uniquely evolved four legs, complex chewing mechanisms, and large body sizes.”
“This shared history makes their teeth and limbs quite similar, complicating classification based on partial skeletons.”
This study confirms the presence of ceratopsians in Europe, addressing a long-standing gap in our understanding of these dinosaurs’ migration across the Northern Hemisphere.
“The initial fossil of Aikaceratops was so incomplete that many scientists doubted its classification as a ceratopsian,” noted Professor Richard Butler from the University of Birmingham.
“What’s fascinating about the new findings regarding Aikaceratops is that they validate the existence of horned dinosaurs in Cretaceous Europe and challenge us to rethink our understanding of ancient ecosystems.”
The earliest ceratopsians, such as Yinlong, originated in Asia and migrated multiple times to North America, leading to the evolution of frilled species like triceratops and Torosaurus.
The most plausible route for this dispersal would have been through Europe, though the scarcity of fossils has posed challenges.
“We know that dinosaurs were capable of crossing the Atlantic Ocean, which was just starting to form during the Cretaceous,” explained Professor Maidment.
“Dinosaurs like Allosaurus have been discovered in both Portugal and the United States, suggesting some level of intercontinental travel was possible.”
“Many dinosaurs could swim, and the islands within the Central European Basin were relatively close, making island-hopping a likely scenario.”
“While triceratops is one of the most recognized horned dinosaurs, most species are native to North America, and many were once misidentified as other types, leading to their obscured presence in Europe,” remarked Professor Steve Brusatte from the University of Edinburgh.
The findings are detailed in a study published in the journal Nature.
_____
SCR Maidment et al. Hidden diversity of ceratopsians in Late Cretaceous Europe. Nature published online on January 7, 2026. doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09897-w
Source: www.sci.news
