Sexual dimorphism Aulacephalodon



skull of aulacephalodon bainii


tollman et al. (1980) suggests nasal bosses in skulls of collected aulacephalodon specimens provide compelling evidence of sexual dimorphism in aulacephalodon fossils. morphological studies found sizes of nasal bosses of collected specimens can categorized 3 different size ranges, specimens possessing largest sized nasal bosses assumed mature males. female aulacephalodon found specimens weakly developed nasal bosses. specimens thought represent mature males had larger craniums thicker squamosal @ border of zygomatic arch. female specimens showed no thickening in zygomatic arch. canine tusks appear longer , further apart in male specimens. tollman et. suggests sexual dimorphism existed in aulacephalodon means of sexual selection , display mechanism. important limitations analysis no specimen showed entirely male or female characters , many of specimens used characterized immature juveniles. possible explanations observation non-dimorphic characters present in crania mask sexual dimorphism characters, or sexual dimorphic characters not present in fossils due lack of measurable characters.








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