Pronunciation: MIEK-ro-SEF-uh-lee
Meaning: Tiny head
Author/s: Paul Sereno (1997)
Synonyms: None known
First Discovery: Alberta, Canada
Discovery Chart Position: #
Microcephale
"Microcephale" is a pachycephalosaur. Probably. It is also a nomen nudum — a naked name — yet to be enrobed in an adequate description. Scientific etiquette dictates that nomina nuda, at the very least, be wrapped in "quotes" until the results of official scrutiny are published: failing to declare their unofficial status in such a manner will lead the palaeontology gods to strike you down.
It was first mentioned in "The origin and evolution of dinosaurs" during the 25th Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences in 1997. Then, sometime later, a super-psyched Paul Sereno affectionately referred to it as "mushroom head" because of the shape and size of its skull cap, which is domed and only a couple of inches wide.
Many palaeontologists surmise that male pachycephalosaurs, colloquially known as "head-bangers", participated in butting contests for the right to bang uglies with the most desirable females, just like modern muskox and bighorn sheep. Proportionately similar to other pachycephalosaurs, though tiny based on the size of its skull, one can only assume that "Microcephale" and its displays of machismo were truly a sight to behold, and pity any Late Cretaceous insect that got in the way.
"Microcephale" may merely be a juvenile version of one of a half dozen Albertan pachycephalosaurs known from the Dinosaur Park Formation. However, half of those are struggling to hang on to their official status.
It was first mentioned in "The origin and evolution of dinosaurs" during the 25th Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences in 1997. Then, sometime later, a super-psyched Paul Sereno affectionately referred to it as "mushroom head" because of the shape and size of its skull cap, which is domed and only a couple of inches wide.
Many palaeontologists surmise that male pachycephalosaurs, colloquially known as "head-bangers", participated in butting contests for the right to bang uglies with the most desirable females, just like modern muskox and bighorn sheep. Proportionately similar to other pachycephalosaurs, though tiny based on the size of its skull, one can only assume that "Microcephale" and its displays of machismo were truly a sight to behold, and pity any Late Cretaceous insect that got in the way.
"Microcephale" may merely be a juvenile version of one of a half dozen Albertan pachycephalosaurs known from the Dinosaur Park Formation. However, half of those are struggling to hang on to their official status.
Etymology
"Microcephale" is derived from the Greek "mikros" (tiny, small) and "kephale" (head).
A species epithet will arive with an official description.
Discovery
The remains of "Microcephale" — including a couple of domed skull caps — were discovered in the Dinosaur Park Formation of Alberta, Canada. A holotype has not been designated.
