<p>Palaeontologists have identified a new dinosaur species named Lokiceratops. Measuring about 22 feet (6.7 meters) in length and weighing around 11,000 pounds (5 metric tonnes), Lokiceratops stand out due to their crown-like elaborate headgear.</p>

<p>The plant-eating dinosaur belonged to the centrosaurines group and dates back 78 million years ago.</p>

<p>The findings are based on specimens&nbsp;excavated from the badlands of northern Montana and will be displayed at the Natural History Museum of Utah. They&nbsp;were&nbsp;published in PeerJ.</p>

<p>The species has been officially named <em>Lokiceratops rangiformis</em>, translating to "Loki’s horned face that looks like a caribou."</p>

<p>The name pays homage to the Norse god Loki, known for his horned helmet, and references the asymmetrical horn lengths on each side of its frill.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;WION Climate Tracker: Climate change played key role in dominance of dinosaurs</strong></p>

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<p>Lokiceratops is part of the ceratopsid family, which first evolved around 92 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"A new horned dinosaur found in the Cretaceous badlands of northern Montana reveals unexpectedly high diversity, suggesting elevated speciation rates and regional endemism in members of the group," Dr Mark Loewen, co-lead of the study and professor at the University of Utah told IFLScience.</p>

<p>The fossils suggest that horned dinosaurs were evolving within a small geographic area along the US-Canada border.</p>

<h2><b>Dinosaur's crown</b></h2>

<p>Lokiceratops' headgear is one of the largest frill horns among ceratopsians.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Having a giant head like Lokiceratops required massive neck muscles to balance it on the body and lots of calories to grow as the animal matured," explained Dr Loewen.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/palaeontologists-discover-rare-pre-dinosaur-era-crocodile-like-species-733659">Palaeontologists discover rare pre-dinosaur era crocodile-like species</a></strong></p>

<p>"At the same time, it must have been so impressive to potential mates that it really was worth having such a huge head!"</p>

<h2><strong>What does it mean?</strong></h2>

<p>The discovery of <em>Lokiceratops</em> challenges previous assumptions that no more than two species of horned dinosaurs could co-exist.</p>

<p>Unlike many of its relatives, <em>Lokiceratops</em> did not have a nose horn, it has emerged.</p>


Palaeontologists have identified a new dinosaur species named Lokiceratops. Measuring about 22 feet (6.7 meters) in length and weighing around 11,000 pounds (5 metric tonnes), Lokiceratops stand out due to their crown-like elaborate headgear.

Palaeontologists have identified a new dinosaur species named Lokiceratops. Measuring about 22 feet (6.7 meters) in length and weighing around 11,000 pounds (5 metric tonnes), Lokiceratops stand out due to their crown-like elaborate headgear. The plant-eating dinosaur belonged to the centrosaurines group and dates back 78 million years ago. The findings are based on specimens excavated from the badlands of northern Montana and will be displayed at the Natural History Museum of Utah. They were published in PeerJ. The species has been officially named Lokiceratops rangiformis, translating to "Loki’s horned face that looks like a caribou." The name pays homage to the Norse god Loki, known for his horned helmet, and references the asymmetrical horn lengths on each side of its frill. Also watch | WION Climate Tracker: Climate change played key role in dominance of dinosaurs × Lokiceratops is part of the ceratopsid family, which first evolved around 92 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period. "A new horned dinosaur found in the Cretaceous badlands of northern Montana reveals unexpectedly high diversity, suggesting elevated speciation rates and regional endemism in members of the group," Dr Mark Loewen, co-lead of the study and professor at the University of Utah told IFLScience. The fossils suggest that horned dinosaurs were evolving within a small geographic area along the US-Canada border. Dinosaur's crown Lokiceratops' headgear is one of the largest frill horns among ceratopsians. "Having a giant head like Lokiceratops required massive neck muscles to balance it on the body and lots of calories to grow as the animal matured," explained Dr Loewen. Also read | Palaeontologists discover rare pre-dinosaur era crocodile-like species "At the same time, it must have been so impressive to potential mates that it really was worth having such a huge head!" What does it mean? The discovery of Lokiceratops challenges previous assumptions that no more than two species of horned dinosaurs could co-exist. Unlike many of its relatives, Lokiceratops did not have a nose horn, it has emerged.

Jurassic king with a crown? Scientists discover fancy headgear on 78-million-year-old dinosaur

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Jurassic king with a crown? Scientists discover fancy headgear on 78-million-year-old dinosaur