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Uncovering the Centrosaurus
When you think of dinosaurs, places like Drumheller, Alberta, often come to mind. However, Saskatchewan is stepping into the spotlight with exciting new discoveries that challenge our understanding of the prehistoric world. Recently, paleontologists from McGill University unearthed Saskatchewan’s first Centrosaurus, a herbivorous dinosaur known for its distinctive single horn and spiny frill.
This discovery not only adds to the rich tapestry of dinosaur history but also highlights Saskatchewan’s potential as a significant paleontological site.
According to Alexandre Demers-Potvin, a PhD palaeobiologist at McGill University, the fragments found include unique horn shapes that are characteristic of the Centrosaurus species.
This dinosaur belongs to the Ceratopsia group, which encompasses all horned dinosaurs, including the well-known Triceratops. The implications of this discovery extend beyond just the dinosaur itself; it opens a window into the ecosystem that existed in Saskatchewan millions of years ago.
A unique coastal ecosystem
The excavation site at Lake Diefenbaker Bonebed in Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park revealed more than just dinosaur bones. Researchers discovered a unique ecosystem that has never been documented in Canada before. Dr. Emily L. Bamforth, an adjunct professor at the University of Saskatchewan, emphasized that this finding transforms our understanding of the region’s environment 75 million years ago.
Surprisingly, Saskatchewan was once a coastal habitat, a stark contrast to its current landscape.
Bamforth explained, “Saskatchewan was actually beachfront property at that time, which is kind of hard to imagine today.” This coastal floodplain, teeming with life, was home to various dinosaurs, including those found in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
The discovery of the Centrosaurus fossil provides a glimpse into this ancient world, showcasing how these creatures thrived in a coastal environment.
The future of paleontological research in Saskatchewan
The Centrosaurus fossil has been transported to the Royal Saskatchewan Museum in Regina for further analysis.
Dr. Ryan McKellar, the museum’s curator of paleontology, highlighted that this is just the beginning of the story. The specimens will undergo chemical analysis and growth ring studies to determine the age of these dinosaurs, contributing valuable information to the field of paleontology.
McKellar expressed optimism about the impact of such discoveries on Saskatchewan’s reputation in the scientific community. “Finds like this and the fieldwork that goes into them draw a lot of paleo students to the province and also other researchers,” he noted. With researchers coming from around the globe to study Saskatchewan’s geological treasures, the province is poised to become a hub for paleontological research, attracting attention and fostering a deeper understanding of our planet’s history.
