Webosaurs Blog

Archaeoceratops

Q: Archaeoceratops is a dinosaurs that looks like protoceratops and gallimimus mix body, why? -Irvine

A: That’s a very interesting question Irvine. Archaeoceratops and protoceratops were both ceratopsians but belonged to different families. Also, they existed during different times of the Cretaceous. Still, the fact they belonged to the same Infraorder means they would have homologous traits.

Homologous means they come from the same ancestor. These traits are very important in determining taxonomy of a creature. Frills on two different ceratopsians would be considered homologous because they were derived from the same ancestor, even if they looked slightly different.

On the other hand, Archaeoceratops may have had similar features to Gallimimus (standing upright, I assume?). These creatures were not related though, and the traits look the same (and may have the same function) but don’t come from a direct evolutionary line. These are called analogous traits.

Example of an analogous feature – a bird wing and a bat wing both serve the same purpose, and look similar, but they do not come from the same evolutionary line. Their wings are considered analogous.

Can you think of two animals who have analogous traits? Homologous traits?

-Rex

"Awww. Who's a pretty dino-bird? You're a pretty dino-bird! Yes you are!"

Hey everyone! We were just digging through our files and found an uncovered Nigel Marven webosode! We just released this awesome webosode starring Nigel Marven and a flock of ostriches.

Check out this brand new webosode now at the Prairie Pool. Learn just how closely related to dinosaurs ostriches really are. It’s so interesting just looking at them, you can almost see how certain dinosaurs might have moved and behaved. They’re like feathered versions of Gallimimus. I won’t ruin the rest for you, so just head over to the Prairie Pool to find out for yourself.

-Rex