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Photograph of the holotype skull of Titanoceratops ouranos, from the late Campanian aged Kirtland/Fruitland beds of New Mexico, USA. Photograph by Nick Longrich
Taxa Titanoceratops

Photograph of the holotype skull of Titanoceratops ouranos, from the late Campanian aged Kirtland/Fruitland beds of New Mexico, USA. Photograph by Nick Longrich

Mexico United States Fruitland Kirtland +4
Diagram featuring the holotype skull (ZPAL MgD-I/105) of Tylocephale gilmorei in left lateral view. Scale bar equals 5 cm (50 mm). Based on Maryańska & Osmólska, 1974,[1] and Sullivan, 2006.[2]
References

↑ (1974). "Pachycephalosauria, a new suborder of ornithischian dinosaurs". Palaeontologica Polonica (30): 45−102.

↑ (2006). "A taxonomic review of the Pachycephalosauridae (Dinosauria: Ornithischia)". New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin (35): 347–365.
Taxa Tylocephale

Diagram featuring the holotype skull (ZPAL MgD-I/105) of Tylocephale gilmorei in left lateral view. Scale bar equals 5 cm (50 mm). Based on Maryańska & Osmólska, 1974,[1] and Sullivan, 2006.[2] References ↑ (1974). "Pachycephalosauria, a new suborder of ornithischian dinosaurs". Palaeontologica Polonica (30): 45−102. ↑ (2006). "A taxonomic review of the Pachycephalosauridae (Dinosauria: Ornithischia)". New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin (35): 347–365.

scale museum Mexico holotype +6
Braincase of WSC 10058, holotype of Ornatops 
Braincase of Ornatops incantatus in digital 3D model in right lateral (A and C) and left lateral (D and F) views, with enlarged images of the right (B) and left (E) auditory regions.

Credit: McDonald AT, Wolfe DG, Freedman Fowler EA, Gates TA. 2021. A new brachylophosaurin (Dinosauria: Hadrosauridae) from the Upper Cretaceous Menefee Formation of New Mexico. PeerJ 9:e11084 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11084
Taxa Ornatops

Braincase of WSC 10058, holotype of Ornatops Braincase of Ornatops incantatus in digital 3D model in right lateral (A and C) and left lateral (D and F) views, with enlarged images of the right (B) and left (E) auditory regions. Credit: McDonald AT, Wolfe DG, Freedman Fowler EA, Gates TA. 2021. A new brachylophosaurin (Dinosauria: Hadrosauridae) from the Upper Cretaceous Menefee Formation of New Mexico. PeerJ 9:e11084 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11084

Mexico Cretaceous holotype Dinosauria +3
Reconstruction of the skull of Tlatolophus galorum by sculptor Samuel Nieves Tlapaya (El Alebrije Prehistórico). Displayed in the lobby of the hosting hotel of the 12th Latin American Congress of Paleontology, held in Puebla, Mexico, during the first week of March 2025.
Taxa Tlatolophus

Reconstruction of the skull of Tlatolophus galorum by sculptor Samuel Nieves Tlapaya (El Alebrije Prehistórico). Displayed in the lobby of the hosting hotel of the 12th Latin American Congress of Paleontology, held in Puebla, Mexico, during the first week of March 2025.

Mexico Tlatolophus skull
Plate XII(XIX).
Fig. 1. Coelophysis bauri COPE. Sacrum, consisting of three vertebrae and last dorsal vertebra. COPE’s original. Triassic, New Mexico. Preserved in American Museum of Natural History, New York. Nat. size, from a cast in Tübingen. a, right lateral view; b, left lateral view; c, ventral view.
Fig. 2. Thecodontosaurus skirtopodus SEELEY sp. Right humerus. Original in Vienna Hofmuseum (Coll. ADLER 1886). Upper Karroo, Cape Colony, South Africa. 1/2 nat. size, from a cast in Tübingen.
Fig. 3. Same. Ditto. Proximal end of a right humerus in posterior view. 1/2 nat. size (the lateral part is missing).
Fig. 4. Same. Ditto. Distal end of a left humerus in anterior view. 1/2 nat. size.
Fig. 5. Same. Ditto. Distal end of a left femur in posterior view. 1/2 nat. size.
Fig. 6. Same. Ditto. Proximal end of a left tibia, lateral view. 1/2 nat. size.
Fig. 7. Thecodontosaurus browni SEELEY sp. Left femur in posterior view. SEELEY’s original. From the Stormberg Beds of the Telle River near Aliwal North, Cape Colony, South Africa. (From casts in the British Museum and Tübingen.) 1/2 nat. size.

Fig. 8. Same. Ditto. Right femur, medial view.

Plate XII(XIX). Fig. 1. Coelophysis bauri COPE. Sacrum, consisting of three vertebrae and last dorsal vertebra. COPE’s original. Triassic, New Mexico. Preserved in American Museum of Natural History, New York. Nat. size, from a cast in Tübingen. a, right lateral view; b, left lateral view; c, ventral view. Fig. 2. Thecodontosaurus skirtopodus SEELEY sp. Right humerus. Original in Vienna Hofmuseum (Coll. ADLER 1886). Upper Karroo, Cape Colony, South Africa. 1/2 nat. size, from a cast in Tübingen. Fig. 3. Same. Ditto. Proximal end of a right humerus in posterior view. 1/2 nat. size (the lateral part is missing). Fig. 4. Same. Ditto. Distal end of a left humerus in anterior view. 1/2 nat. size. Fig. 5. Same. Ditto. Distal end of a left femur in posterior view. 1/2 nat. size. Fig. 6. Same. Ditto. Proximal end of a left tibia, lateral view. 1/2 nat. size. Fig. 7. Thecodontosaurus browni SEELEY sp. Left femur in posterior view. SEELEY’s original. From the Stormberg Beds of the Telle River near Aliwal North, Cape Colony, South Africa. (From casts in the British Museum and Tübingen.) 1/2 nat. size. Fig. 8. Same. Ditto. Right femur, medial view.

humerus vertebra museum Mexico +8
Muzquizopteryx coahuilensis (Familyː Nyctosauridae) is a species of nyctosaurid pterodactyloid pterosaur from the Late Cretaceous period (early Coniacian stage) of what is now Coahuila, Mexico.
Taxa Muzquizopteryx

Muzquizopteryx coahuilensis (Familyː Nyctosauridae) is a species of nyctosaurid pterodactyloid pterosaur from the Late Cretaceous period (early Coniacian stage) of what is now Coahuila, Mexico.

Mexico Coniacian Cretaceous Late Cretaceous +3
Tyrannosauripus pillmorei, probable Tyrannosaurus footprint from w:Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico
Taxa Tyrannosauripus

Tyrannosauripus pillmorei, probable Tyrannosaurus footprint from w:Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico

Mexico Tyrannosauripodidae Tyrannosauripus Tyrannosaurus
Tyrannosauripus pillmorei, probable Tyrannosaurus footprint from w:Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico
Taxa Tyrannosauripodidae

Tyrannosauripus pillmorei, probable Tyrannosaurus footprint from w:Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico

Mexico Tyrannosauripodidae Tyrannosauripus Tyrannosaurus
Comparison of cranial features between closely related southern Laramidian taxa; (A), Akainacephalus johnsoni (UMNH VP 20202) from the Late Cretaceous Kaiparowits Formation of Utah; and (B), Nodocephalosaurus kirtlandensis (SMP VP-900) from the Late Cretaceous Kirtland Formation of New Mexico, in left lateral views. Various synapomorphies are shared with N. kirtlandensis (highlighted in black and white arrows) and includes “flaring nostrils”; enlarged, laterally projecting, loreal osteoderms that are situated directly dorsal to the external nares. Other synapomorphies include pyramid-shaped nasal and frontal osteoderms positioned on the dorsal regions of the skull. A number of significant differences have been observed between both specimens; in A. johnsoni, the anterior, and posterior supraorbital bosses form an enlarged element that is somewhat backswept, whereas in N. kirtlandensis, the posterior and anterior supraorbital bosses are clearly defined as individual osteoderms, and are much smaller in size. Additionally, the squamosal horn in Akainacephalus is very small but is prominent and tetrahedrally shaped in Nodocephalosaurus. The quadratojugal horn in Akainacephalus is massive, has a subtriangular morphology in lateral view and projects almost entirely ventral, whereas in Nodocephalosaurus, the quadratojugal horn is smaller and has a typical fin-shaped morphology. Study sites: asob, anterior supraorbital boss; ext naris, external naris; laca, lacrimal caputegulum; loca, loreal caputegulum; naca, nasal caputegulae; orb, orbit; psob, posterior supraorbital boss; qjh, quadratojugal horn; sqh, squamosal horn.
Taxa Nodocephalosaurus

Comparison of cranial features between closely related southern Laramidian taxa; (A), Akainacephalus johnsoni (UMNH VP 20202) from the Late Cretaceous Kaiparowits Formation of Utah; and (B), Nodocephalosaurus kirtlandensis (SMP VP-900) from the Late Cretaceous Kirtland Formation of New Mexico, in left lateral views. Various synapomorphies are shared with N. kirtlandensis (highlighted in black and white arrows) and includes “flaring nostrils”; enlarged, laterally projecting, loreal osteoderms that are situated directly dorsal to the external nares. Other synapomorphies include pyramid-shaped nasal and frontal osteoderms positioned on the dorsal regions of the skull. A number of significant differences have been observed between both specimens; in A. johnsoni, the anterior, and posterior supraorbital bosses form an enlarged element that is somewhat backswept, whereas in N. kirtlandensis, the posterior and anterior supraorbital bosses are clearly defined as individual osteoderms, and are much smaller in size. Additionally, the squamosal horn in Akainacephalus is very small but is prominent and tetrahedrally shaped in Nodocephalosaurus. The quadratojugal horn in Akainacephalus is massive, has a subtriangular morphology in lateral view and projects almost entirely ventral, whereas in Nodocephalosaurus, the quadratojugal horn is smaller and has a typical fin-shaped morphology. Study sites: asob, anterior supraorbital boss; ext naris, external naris; laca, lacrimal caputegulum; loca, loreal caputegulum; naca, nasal caputegulae; orb, orbit; psob, posterior supraorbital boss; qjh, quadratojugal horn; sqh, squamosal horn.

Mexico Kaiparowits Kirtland Cretaceous +6
The nodosaurid dinosaur, Glyptodontopelta is mostly known from isolated osteoderms ("armor plates"). The specimen SMP VP-1580 (State Museum of Pennysylvania) is however, the most complete known specimen, comprising parts of the skull, hundreds of osteoderms and fragments. This specimen was discovered in 2003 by Warwick Fowler, in the Naashoibito Member of the Ojo Alamo Formation (Maatrichtian, Late Cretaceous) of the San Juan Basin, New Mexico, during an expedition led by Dr. Robert Sullivan.
Taxa Glyptodontopelta

The nodosaurid dinosaur, Glyptodontopelta is mostly known from isolated osteoderms ("armor plates"). The specimen SMP VP-1580 (State Museum of Pennysylvania) is however, the most complete known specimen, comprising parts of the skull, hundreds of osteoderms and fragments. This specimen was discovered in 2003 by Warwick Fowler, in the Naashoibito Member of the Ojo Alamo Formation (Maatrichtian, Late Cretaceous) of the San Juan Basin, New Mexico, during an expedition led by Dr. Robert Sullivan.

armor museum Mexico Denver +9
Photograph of Museo civico di scienze naturali di Bergamo (MCSNB) 2888, the holotype specimen of Eudimorphodon ranzii ZAMBELLI 1973, a basal pterosaur from the Norian (middle Upper Triassic) of the Italian Alps.[1]


↑ see fig. 8A in Silvio Renesto (2006): A reappraisal of the diversity and biogeographic significance of the Norian (Late Triassic) reptiles from the Calcare di Zorzino. In: Jerry D. Harris, Spencer G. Lucas, Justin A. Spielmann, Martin G. Lockley, Andrew R.C. Milner, James I. Kirkland (eds.): The Triassic-Jurassic Terrestrial Transition. New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin 37:445–456 (online)
Taxa Eudimorphodon

Photograph of Museo civico di scienze naturali di Bergamo (MCSNB) 2888, the holotype specimen of Eudimorphodon ranzii ZAMBELLI 1973, a basal pterosaur from the Norian (middle Upper Triassic) of the Italian Alps.[1] ↑ see fig. 8A in Silvio Renesto (2006): A reappraisal of the diversity and biogeographic significance of the Norian (Late Triassic) reptiles from the Calcare di Zorzino. In: Jerry D. Harris, Spencer G. Lucas, Justin A. Spielmann, Martin G. Lockley, Andrew R.C. Milner, James I. Kirkland (eds.): The Triassic-Jurassic Terrestrial Transition. New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin 37:445–456 (online)

museum Mexico Jurassic Late Triassic +6
Coelophysis bauri (Cope, 1887) theropod dinosaur from the Triassic of New Mexico, USA.
This is a remarkable complete skeleton of the small early theropod Coelophysis.  It comes from a nearly monospecific concentration of numerous complete to disarticulated skeletons in reddish-colored fluvial siltstones, often called a "Coelophysis graveyard".  This occurrence has been interpreted as a carcass-jammed channel filling following mass mortality of dinosaurs by regional drought (see Schwartz & Gillette, 1994).
Stratigraphy: Rock Point Member, Chinle Formation, Upper Triassic
Locality: Whitaker Quarry (Coelophysis Quarry), Ghost Ranch, Rio Arriba County, northern New Mexico, USA


Some info. from:
Hunt, A.P. & S.G. Lucas.  1991.  Rioarribasaurus, a new name for a Late Triassic dinosaur from New Mexico (USA).  Paläontologische Zeitschrift  65: 191-198.
Schwartz, H.L. & D.D. Gillette.  1994.  Geology and taphonomy of the Coelophysis Quarry, Upper Triassic Chinle Formation, Ghost Ranch, New Mexico.  Journal of Paleontology 68: 1118-1130.


Theropod were small to large, bipedal dinosaurs.  Almost all known members of the group were carnivorous (predators and/or scavengers).  They represent the ancestral group to the birds, and some theropods are known to have had feathers.  Some of the most well known dinosaurs to the general public are theropods, such as Tyrannosaurus, Allosaurus, and Spinosaurus.
Taxa Coelophysis

Coelophysis bauri (Cope, 1887) theropod dinosaur from the Triassic of New Mexico, USA. This is a remarkable complete skeleton of the small early theropod Coelophysis. It comes from a nearly monospecific concentration of numerous complete to disarticulated skeletons in reddish-colored fluvial siltstones, often called a "Coelophysis graveyard". This occurrence has been interpreted as a carcass-jammed channel filling following mass mortality of dinosaurs by regional drought (see Schwartz & Gillette, 1994). Stratigraphy: Rock Point Member, Chinle Formation, Upper Triassic Locality: Whitaker Quarry (Coelophysis Quarry), Ghost Ranch, Rio Arriba County, northern New Mexico, USA Some info. from: Hunt, A.P. & S.G. Lucas. 1991. Rioarribasaurus, a new name for a Late Triassic dinosaur from New Mexico (USA). Paläontologische Zeitschrift 65: 191-198. Schwartz, H.L. & D.D. Gillette. 1994. Geology and taphonomy of the Coelophysis Quarry, Upper Triassic Chinle Formation, Ghost Ranch, New Mexico. Journal of Paleontology 68: 1118-1130. Theropod were small to large, bipedal dinosaurs. Almost all known members of the group were carnivorous (predators and/or scavengers). They represent the ancestral group to the birds, and some theropods are known to have had feathers. Some of the most well known dinosaurs to the general public are theropods, such as Tyrannosaurus, Allosaurus, and Spinosaurus.

Mexico United States Chinle Late Triassic +12
Coelophysis bauri (Cope, 1887) theropod dinosaur from the Triassic of New Mexico, USA.
This is a remarkable complete skeleton of the small early theropod Coelophysis.  It comes from a nearly monospecific concentration of numerous complete to disarticulated skeletons in reddish-colored fluvial siltstones, often called a "Coelophysis graveyard".  This occurrence has been interpreted as a carcass-jammed channel filling following mass mortality of dinosaurs by regional drought (see Schwartz & Gillette, 1994).
Stratigraphy: Rock Point Member, Chinle Formation, Upper Triassic
Locality: Whitaker Quarry (Coelophysis Quarry), Ghost Ranch, Rio Arriba County, northern New Mexico, USA


Some info. from:
Hunt, A.P. & S.G. Lucas.  1991.  Rioarribasaurus, a new name for a Late Triassic dinosaur from New Mexico (USA).  Paläontologische Zeitschrift  65: 191-198.
Schwartz, H.L. & D.D. Gillette.  1994.  Geology and taphonomy of the Coelophysis Quarry, Upper Triassic Chinle Formation, Ghost Ranch, New Mexico.  Journal of Paleontology 68: 1118-1130.


Theropod were small to large, bipedal dinosaurs.  Almost all known members of the group were carnivorous (predators and/or scavengers).  They represent the ancestral group to the birds, and some theropods are known to have had feathers.  Some of the most well known dinosaurs to the general public are theropods, such as Tyrannosaurus, Allosaurus, and Spinosaurus.
Taxa Coelophysoidea

Coelophysis bauri (Cope, 1887) theropod dinosaur from the Triassic of New Mexico, USA. This is a remarkable complete skeleton of the small early theropod Coelophysis. It comes from a nearly monospecific concentration of numerous complete to disarticulated skeletons in reddish-colored fluvial siltstones, often called a "Coelophysis graveyard". This occurrence has been interpreted as a carcass-jammed channel filling following mass mortality of dinosaurs by regional drought (see Schwartz & Gillette, 1994). Stratigraphy: Rock Point Member, Chinle Formation, Upper Triassic Locality: Whitaker Quarry (Coelophysis Quarry), Ghost Ranch, Rio Arriba County, northern New Mexico, USA Some info. from: Hunt, A.P. & S.G. Lucas. 1991. Rioarribasaurus, a new name for a Late Triassic dinosaur from New Mexico (USA). Paläontologische Zeitschrift 65: 191-198. Schwartz, H.L. & D.D. Gillette. 1994. Geology and taphonomy of the Coelophysis Quarry, Upper Triassic Chinle Formation, Ghost Ranch, New Mexico. Journal of Paleontology 68: 1118-1130. Theropod were small to large, bipedal dinosaurs. Almost all known members of the group were carnivorous (predators and/or scavengers). They represent the ancestral group to the birds, and some theropods are known to have had feathers. Some of the most well known dinosaurs to the general public are theropods, such as Tyrannosaurus, Allosaurus, and Spinosaurus.

Mexico United States Chinle Late Triassic +12
Coelophysis bauri (Cope, 1887) theropod dinosaur from the Triassic of New Mexico, USA.
This is a remarkable complete skeleton of the small early theropod Coelophysis.  It comes from a nearly monospecific concentration of numerous complete to disarticulated skeletons in reddish-colored fluvial siltstones, often called a "Coelophysis graveyard".  This occurrence has been interpreted as a carcass-jammed channel filling following mass mortality of dinosaurs by regional drought (see Schwartz & Gillette, 1994).
Stratigraphy: Rock Point Member, Chinle Formation, Upper Triassic
Locality: Whitaker Quarry (Coelophysis Quarry), Ghost Ranch, Rio Arriba County, northern New Mexico, USA


Some info. from:
Hunt, A.P. & S.G. Lucas.  1991.  Rioarribasaurus, a new name for a Late Triassic dinosaur from New Mexico (USA).  Paläontologische Zeitschrift  65: 191-198.
Schwartz, H.L. & D.D. Gillette.  1994.  Geology and taphonomy of the Coelophysis Quarry, Upper Triassic Chinle Formation, Ghost Ranch, New Mexico.  Journal of Paleontology 68: 1118-1130.


Theropod were small to large, bipedal dinosaurs.  Almost all known members of the group were carnivorous (predators and/or scavengers).  They represent the ancestral group to the birds, and some theropods are known to have had feathers.  Some of the most well known dinosaurs to the general public are theropods, such as Tyrannosaurus, Allosaurus, and Spinosaurus.
Taxa Coelophysidae

Coelophysis bauri (Cope, 1887) theropod dinosaur from the Triassic of New Mexico, USA. This is a remarkable complete skeleton of the small early theropod Coelophysis. It comes from a nearly monospecific concentration of numerous complete to disarticulated skeletons in reddish-colored fluvial siltstones, often called a "Coelophysis graveyard". This occurrence has been interpreted as a carcass-jammed channel filling following mass mortality of dinosaurs by regional drought (see Schwartz & Gillette, 1994). Stratigraphy: Rock Point Member, Chinle Formation, Upper Triassic Locality: Whitaker Quarry (Coelophysis Quarry), Ghost Ranch, Rio Arriba County, northern New Mexico, USA Some info. from: Hunt, A.P. & S.G. Lucas. 1991. Rioarribasaurus, a new name for a Late Triassic dinosaur from New Mexico (USA). Paläontologische Zeitschrift 65: 191-198. Schwartz, H.L. & D.D. Gillette. 1994. Geology and taphonomy of the Coelophysis Quarry, Upper Triassic Chinle Formation, Ghost Ranch, New Mexico. Journal of Paleontology 68: 1118-1130. Theropod were small to large, bipedal dinosaurs. Almost all known members of the group were carnivorous (predators and/or scavengers). They represent the ancestral group to the birds, and some theropods are known to have had feathers. Some of the most well known dinosaurs to the general public are theropods, such as Tyrannosaurus, Allosaurus, and Spinosaurus.

Mexico United States Chinle Late Triassic +12
Coelophysis bauri (Cope, 1887) theropod dinosaur from the Triassic of New Mexico, USA.
This is a remarkable complete skeleton of the small early theropod Coelophysis.  It comes from a nearly monospecific concentration of numerous complete to disarticulated skeletons in reddish-colored fluvial siltstones, often called a "Coelophysis graveyard".  This occurrence has been interpreted as a carcass-jammed channel filling following mass mortality of dinosaurs by regional drought (see Schwartz & Gillette, 1994).
Stratigraphy: Rock Point Member, Chinle Formation, Upper Triassic
Locality: Whitaker Quarry (Coelophysis Quarry), Ghost Ranch, Rio Arriba County, northern New Mexico, USA


Some info. from:
Hunt, A.P. & S.G. Lucas.  1991.  Rioarribasaurus, a new name for a Late Triassic dinosaur from New Mexico (USA).  Paläontologische Zeitschrift  65: 191-198.
Schwartz, H.L. & D.D. Gillette.  1994.  Geology and taphonomy of the Coelophysis Quarry, Upper Triassic Chinle Formation, Ghost Ranch, New Mexico.  Journal of Paleontology 68: 1118-1130.


Theropod were small to large, bipedal dinosaurs.  Almost all known members of the group were carnivorous (predators and/or scavengers).  They represent the ancestral group to the birds, and some theropods are known to have had feathers.  Some of the most well known dinosaurs to the general public are theropods, such as Tyrannosaurus, Allosaurus, and Spinosaurus.
Taxa Coelophysinae

Coelophysis bauri (Cope, 1887) theropod dinosaur from the Triassic of New Mexico, USA. This is a remarkable complete skeleton of the small early theropod Coelophysis. It comes from a nearly monospecific concentration of numerous complete to disarticulated skeletons in reddish-colored fluvial siltstones, often called a "Coelophysis graveyard". This occurrence has been interpreted as a carcass-jammed channel filling following mass mortality of dinosaurs by regional drought (see Schwartz & Gillette, 1994). Stratigraphy: Rock Point Member, Chinle Formation, Upper Triassic Locality: Whitaker Quarry (Coelophysis Quarry), Ghost Ranch, Rio Arriba County, northern New Mexico, USA Some info. from: Hunt, A.P. & S.G. Lucas. 1991. Rioarribasaurus, a new name for a Late Triassic dinosaur from New Mexico (USA). Paläontologische Zeitschrift 65: 191-198. Schwartz, H.L. & D.D. Gillette. 1994. Geology and taphonomy of the Coelophysis Quarry, Upper Triassic Chinle Formation, Ghost Ranch, New Mexico. Journal of Paleontology 68: 1118-1130. Theropod were small to large, bipedal dinosaurs. Almost all known members of the group were carnivorous (predators and/or scavengers). They represent the ancestral group to the birds, and some theropods are known to have had feathers. Some of the most well known dinosaurs to the general public are theropods, such as Tyrannosaurus, Allosaurus, and Spinosaurus.

Mexico United States Chinle Late Triassic +12
Coelophysis bauri (Cope, 1887) theropod dinosaur from the Triassic of New Mexico, USA.
This is a remarkable complete skeleton of the small early theropod Coelophysis.  It comes from a nearly monospecific concentration of numerous complete to disarticulated skeletons in reddish-colored fluvial siltstones, often called a "Coelophysis graveyard".  This occurrence has been interpreted as a carcass-jammed channel filling following mass mortality of dinosaurs by regional drought (see Schwartz & Gillette, 1994).
Stratigraphy: Rock Point Member, Chinle Formation, Upper Triassic
Locality: Whitaker Quarry (Coelophysis Quarry), Ghost Ranch, Rio Arriba County, northern New Mexico, USA


Some info. from:
Hunt, A.P. & S.G. Lucas.  1991.  Rioarribasaurus, a new name for a Late Triassic dinosaur from New Mexico (USA).  Paläontologische Zeitschrift  65: 191-198.
Schwartz, H.L. & D.D. Gillette.  1994.  Geology and taphonomy of the Coelophysis Quarry, Upper Triassic Chinle Formation, Ghost Ranch, New Mexico.  Journal of Paleontology 68: 1118-1130.


Theropod were small to large, bipedal dinosaurs.  Almost all known members of the group were carnivorous (predators and/or scavengers).  They represent the ancestral group to the birds, and some theropods are known to have had feathers.  Some of the most well known dinosaurs to the general public are theropods, such as Tyrannosaurus, Allosaurus, and Spinosaurus.
Taxa Podokesaurinae

Coelophysis bauri (Cope, 1887) theropod dinosaur from the Triassic of New Mexico, USA. This is a remarkable complete skeleton of the small early theropod Coelophysis. It comes from a nearly monospecific concentration of numerous complete to disarticulated skeletons in reddish-colored fluvial siltstones, often called a "Coelophysis graveyard". This occurrence has been interpreted as a carcass-jammed channel filling following mass mortality of dinosaurs by regional drought (see Schwartz & Gillette, 1994). Stratigraphy: Rock Point Member, Chinle Formation, Upper Triassic Locality: Whitaker Quarry (Coelophysis Quarry), Ghost Ranch, Rio Arriba County, northern New Mexico, USA Some info. from: Hunt, A.P. & S.G. Lucas. 1991. Rioarribasaurus, a new name for a Late Triassic dinosaur from New Mexico (USA). Paläontologische Zeitschrift 65: 191-198. Schwartz, H.L. & D.D. Gillette. 1994. Geology and taphonomy of the Coelophysis Quarry, Upper Triassic Chinle Formation, Ghost Ranch, New Mexico. Journal of Paleontology 68: 1118-1130. Theropod were small to large, bipedal dinosaurs. Almost all known members of the group were carnivorous (predators and/or scavengers). They represent the ancestral group to the birds, and some theropods are known to have had feathers. Some of the most well known dinosaurs to the general public are theropods, such as Tyrannosaurus, Allosaurus, and Spinosaurus.

Mexico United States Chinle Late Triassic +12

News

New Triassic Dinosaur Species Identified in New Mexico
New Triassic Dinosaur Species Identified in New Mexico
Mexico United States Triassic Dinosauria new species skull
A new genus and species of carnivorous herrerasaurian dinosaur has been described from an incomplete but well-preserved skull found in northern New Mexico, the United States. The post New Triassic Dinosaur Species Identified in New Mexico appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
17/04/2026 sci-news
Daemonosaurus: Beast of the Week
Daemonosaurus: Beast of the Week
Mexico United States Late Triassic Triassic Daemonosaurus Dinosauria skull
 This week we will be checking out a unique looking early dinosaur with a very cool name.  Meet Daemonosaurus chaoliodus!Daemonosaurus was a small meat-eating dinosaur that lived in what is now New Mexico, United States, during the late Triassic period, roughly between 205 and 200 million years ago.  From nose to tail it is estimated to have measured roughly 5 to 7 feet (1.5-2.2m).  These are estimates based on the fact that only the skull and neck were found.  The genus name translates to "Demo
05/04/2026 prehistoricbeastoftheweek
Hesperosuchus: Beast of the Week
Hesperosuchus: Beast of the Week
Mexico United States Late Triassic Triassic fossil skeleton
This week we will be checking out a relative of modern crocodilians that has tricked scientists multiple times!  Enter Hesperosuchus agilis!Hesperosuchus was a pseudosuchian (related to crocodilians) that lived in what is now Arizona and New Mexico, USA, during the late Triassic period, about 210 million years ago.  It would have been a meat-eater and from snout to tail the most complete skeleton measures about four feet (1.2m) but other fossils suggest it could have grown larger, up to about si
01/02/2026 prehistoricbeastoftheweek
Pentaceratops: Beast of the Week
Pentaceratops: Beast of the Week
Mexico United States Cretaceous Late Cretaceous Ceratopsia Dinosauria Pentaceratops
This week we will be checking out yet another awesome ceratopsian dinosaur.  Enter Pentaceratops sternbergii! Pentaceratops was a plant-eating dinosaur that measured about twenty feet long from beak to tail. As a ceratopsian (horns, beaks, and frills) it was member of the chasmosaurine group, and was closely related to Chasmosaurus and Coahuilaceratops to name a few.  It lived in what is now New Mexico, USA, during the late Cretaceous Period, between 76 and 73 million years ago.  The genus name,
14/09/2025 prehistoricbeastoftheweek
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