Investigating Sexual Dimorphism in Ceratopsid Horncores

Evidence for sexual dimorphism was investigated in the horncores of two ceratopsid dinosaurs, Triceratops and Centrosaurus apertus. A review of studies of sexual dimorphism in the vertebrate fossil record revealed methods that were selected for use in ceratopsids. Mountain goats, bison, and pronghorn were selected as exemplar taxa for a proof of principle study that tested the selected methods, and informed and guided the investigation of sexual dimorphism in dinosaurs. Skulls of these exemplar taxa were measured in museum collections, and methods of analysing morphological variation were tested for their ability to demonstrate sexual dimorphism in their horns and horncores. Skulls and isolated horncores of Triceratops and Centrosaurus were measured in museum collections, and analysed with the methods applied to the exemplar taxa. Considerable morphological variation was found in both species, and was suggestive of dimorphism in Centrosaurus, but was deemed not to be attributable to sexual dimorphism.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MSc)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biological Sciences

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Graduate Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Borkovic, Benjamin

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Russell, Anthony

• Paleontology

Statement dc:rights

• University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/26635

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:11023/498