Angulomastacator Facts
Pronunciation: an-GOO-low-MAS-ta-kay-tor
Name meaning: Angular Chewer
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 2.5m |
| Length | 8m |
| Weight | 3 tonnes |
| Speed | 25 km/h |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Ornithopod |
| Location | North America |
Angulomastacator was a duck-billed ornithopod that lived approximately 83.6 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period in what is now Texas, USA. This relatively recently discovered dinosaur represents an important addition to our understanding of North American hadrosaur diversity during the Campanian age.
As an ornithopod, Angulomastacator possessed the characteristic duck-like bill that gave its family their common name. This broad, flattened snout was perfectly adapted for cropping vegetation, whilst rows of tightly packed teeth in the back of its jaws formed efficient grinding surfaces for processing tough plant material. The dinosaur measured approximately 8 metres in length and stood about 2.5 metres tall at the hip, making it a medium-sized member of its group.
Like other duck-billed dinosaurs, Angulomastacator was capable of both bipedal and quadrupedal locomotion. It likely moved on all fours whilst feeding on low-growing plants, but could rear up onto its hind legs to reach higher vegetation or when moving at speed. Its name, meaning 'angular chewer', reflects distinctive features of its jaw structure that set it apart from other closely related species.
The fossil remains of Angulomastacator were discovered in the Aguja Formation of Big Bend National Park, Texas, an area that has yielded numerous important dinosaur discoveries. This herbivore lived in a subtropical environment alongside other dinosaurs including tyrannosaurs, ceratopsians, and other hadrosaurs, forming part of a diverse Late Cretaceous ecosystem.
What made Angulomastacator distinctive?
Angulomastacator possessed distinctive angular features in its jaw structure, particularly in the arrangement of its chewing teeth, which gave the dinosaur its name. Its skull showed unique characteristics that distinguished it from other duck-billed dinosaurs, including specific patterns in the bone structure around the jaw area.
Behaviour
Angulomastacator likely lived in herds, as evidenced by multiple fossil specimens found in the same geological formation. Like other duck-billed dinosaurs, it probably spent much of its time foraging for vegetation, using its sophisticated dental battery to process tough plant material including ferns, conifers, and flowering plants.
Discovery
Angulomastacator was first described by Albert Prieto-Márquez and Jonathan Wagner in 2019. The original fossils were discovered at Aguja Formation, Big Bend National Park, Texas, USA.
Angulomastacator FAQ
What did Angulomastacator eat?
Angulomastacator was a herbivore that fed on a variety of
Late Cretaceous plants. Its duck-like bill was perfect for cropping vegetation, whilst its complex dental battery could efficiently grind tough plant material including ferns, conifers, cycads, and early flowering plants that grew in the subtropical environment of ancient Texas.
How big was Angulomastacator?
Angulomastacator was a medium-sized duck-billed dinosaur, measuring approximately 8 metres in length and standing about 2.5 metres tall at the hip. It weighed an estimated 3 tonnes, making it similar in size to a large elephant but considerably longer due to its tail.
When did Angulomastacator live?
Angulomastacator lived during the
Late Cretaceous period, specifically around 83.6 million years ago during the Campanian age. This makes it one of the older duck-billed dinosaurs, living well before the mass extinction that ended the age of dinosaurs.
Where was Angulomastacator found?
Angulomastacator fossils were discovered in the Aguja Formation within Big Bend National Park in Texas, USA. This area has proven to be exceptionally rich in
Late Cretaceous dinosaur fossils and represents what was once a subtropical river delta environment.
How do you pronounce Angulomastacator?
Angulomastacator is pronounced 'an-GOO-low-MAS-ta-kay-tor'. The name comes from Latin words meaning 'angular chewer', referring to the distinctive angular features found in this dinosaur's jaw structure.
What does Angulomastacator mean?
The name Angulomastacator means 'angular chewer' in Latin. This name was chosen because of the distinctive angular characteristics observed in the dinosaur's jaw structure, particularly features that help scientists distinguish it from other closely related duck-billed dinosaurs.
How fast could Angulomastacator run?
Angulomastacator could likely reach speeds of up to 25 km/h when necessary, particularly when escaping from predators. As a duck-billed dinosaur, it was capable of both quadrupedal walking for everyday activities and bipedal running when speed was required.
What type of dinosaur was Angulomastacator?
Angulomastacator was an ornithopod dinosaur, specifically a member of the duck-billed dinosaur family (Hadrosauridae). These were plant-eating dinosaurs known for their distinctive broad, flattened snouts and complex dental batteries for processing vegetation.
Was Angulomastacator related to birds?
As an ornithopod dinosaur, Angulomastacator was not directly ancestral to modern birds. Birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs, not ornithopods. However, Angulomastacator was still a dinosaur and therefore shares a common ancestor with birds further back in evolutionary history.
How many Angulomastacator fossils have been found?
The exact number of Angulomastacator fossil specimens is not widely published, but the species was described from material found in the Aguja Formation. As a relatively recently named dinosaur (2019), ongoing research may reveal additional specimens from this productive fossil site.
