Aquilops americanus

Overview

Named in 2014, this small neoceratopsian is represented by partial skull OMNH 34557 from Montana’s Cloverly Formation. The paper tentatively assigns its horizon to the middle–late Albian; this dates the fossil-bearing rocks, not the species’ emergence.

Its sharply hooked beak has a midline boss, and the elongated antorbital opening narrows beneath the orbit. Compression and missing bones limit reconstruction. Possible immaturity also complicates comparisons with adult skulls.

A rerun within the same paper, leaving potentially growth-dependent characters unscored, still recovered an early neoceratopsian position. Many neighbouring nodes had low support; Asian–North American dispersal is a biogeographic interpretation, not evidence of a direct ancestor.

Origins & earliest records

Biological origin undated.

Evidence & interpretation

Fossils.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   A Ceratopsian Dinosaur from…

   · 2014

   Selected evidence.

Family, evolution & connections

Taxonomic classification

A hierarchy of classified groups, not a chain of direct ancestors.

Source note: GBIF ranks; unlisted intermediate ranks omitted.

1. kingdomAnimalia
2. phylumChordata
3. genusAquilops
4. speciesAquilops americanus

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Primary researchA Ceratopsian Dinosaur from…Research access: 2026-10-07
2. Institutional taxonomyGBIF taxonomic matchResearch access: 2026-10-07

Image credits

Two lateral photographs of holotype cranium OMNH 34557; 5 cm scale.

Whole specimen plate; no complete living reconstruction. Recompressed whole frame.