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Dennonyx — Parasaurolophus Dimorphism

Published: 2014-01-31 16:39:55 +0000 UTC; Views: 2276; Favourites: 41; Downloads: 13
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Description

Originally P. cyrtocristatus has been classified as a distinct species of Parasaurolophus, from the type P. walkeri due to the difference of the length and structure of the tubolar crest. Hopson has been the first to suggest that P. cyrtocristatus could have been the female form of another species of Parasaurolophus with longer crest (usually I synonymize P.tubicen with P.walkeri, but in the case P. cyrtocristatus is a female, the male would be more like P. tubicen than P. walkeri). As is demonstrated a high level of difference between the crests is present even in ontogenetically immature specimens and the same variability are found in other lambeosaurines too (both ontogenetical and sexual/inter-specific).

So, in your opinion, what are these? Two species of the same genus or two sexes of the same species? Is this sexual dimorphism or inter-specific dimorphism? 

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Comments: 18

BionicleSaurus [2014-10-20 04:42:10 +0000 UTC]

I personally think it's sexual dimorphism, I feel that all to often scientists try to name new species when in reality it is just a neonate of another genera or a deferent gender or something, and I would say that parasaurolophus is a perfect example. In my eyes there is only one species; P. Walkeri.
Wonderful artwork by the way.    

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Celestial-Rainstorm [2014-02-21 00:20:53 +0000 UTC]

Gorgeous! The color is so vibrant!

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Dennonyx In reply to Celestial-Rainstorm [2014-02-21 14:41:53 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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Celestial-Rainstorm In reply to Dennonyx [2014-02-22 05:28:08 +0000 UTC]

You're very welcome!

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spinosaurus2000 [2014-02-02 00:27:03 +0000 UTC]

hey so remember the cryo dilo hybrid that i commisioned, well im sorry to say this but i didnt like it, it didnt have the spines like i wanted and i wanted these spines fc05.deviantart.net/fs71/f/201… (the dilo in front the the one in the background) and it didnt have the stinger like this fc09.deviantart.net/fs4/i/2004… i liked the coloring but i would of prefered a colord mix of this cdn4.steampowered.com/v/gfx/ap… and this cdn4.steampowered.com/v/gfx/ap…


i understand if you dont want to but do you mind redoing it

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TheDilophoraptor [2014-01-31 23:53:03 +0000 UTC]

I'm under the Sexual Dimorphism boat.

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Dennonyx In reply to TheDilophoraptor [2014-02-03 13:09:25 +0000 UTC]

ok

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thedinorocker [2014-01-31 21:37:24 +0000 UTC]

Dal mio punto di vista uno studio morfometrico e morfologico effettuato a livello craniale e post craniale (ed escludente la cresta) potrebbe aiutare a gettare luce sulla questione

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Dennonyx In reply to thedinorocker [2014-02-03 13:10:22 +0000 UTC]

ottima idea

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TarbosaurusBatar [2014-01-31 20:38:12 +0000 UTC]

Pretty colors

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Dennonyx In reply to TarbosaurusBatar [2014-02-03 13:09:52 +0000 UTC]

thanks!

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TarbosaurusBatar In reply to Dennonyx [2014-02-03 15:08:37 +0000 UTC]

Your welcome.

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MrGorsh [2014-01-31 17:53:28 +0000 UTC]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasaur…

^So far I'd say these are separate species, the extreme curvature of P. cyrtocristatus' crest seems inconsistent with other species' crest shape, more than simple dimorphism.

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Dennonyx In reply to MrGorsh [2014-02-03 13:09:46 +0000 UTC]

okay thank you for your opinion

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King-Edmarka [2014-01-31 16:46:21 +0000 UTC]

Great work as usual!   So, do you truly believe that these are different species?   And if so, do you think male P. cyrtocristatus would have a larger crest?

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Dennonyx In reply to King-Edmarka [2014-01-31 16:50:40 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! I remain neutral in the face of these issues. That's why I put the questions and the slashes. I wanted to hear your opinion, because for me the debate is still unresolved

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King-Edmarka In reply to Dennonyx [2014-01-31 16:58:22 +0000 UTC]

Ah yes, I see.   I personally believe that many times, scientists are a little to quick to dub a prehistoric animal a new species/genus.  It seems to me that it would much more likely be either a growth stage or a separate sex.  Aside from the crests, the two skulls seem exactly the same.  It may just even be a malformed individual.  But hey, if it turns out to be a separate species, it wouldn't surprise me!

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Dennonyx In reply to King-Edmarka [2014-01-31 17:04:59 +0000 UTC]

I agree ^^

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