Zuniceratops - Early Ceratopsian
Zuniceratops holds a significant place in the dinosaur family tree. It was a ceratopsian dinosaur, a group known for their horns and frills, that lived during the Late Cretaceous period (around 93.5 to 89.3 million years ago) in what is now New Mexico.
What makes Zuniceratops particularly interesting is its position as an early member of the ceratopsian lineage. Unlike its later, more well-known cousins like Triceratops, Zuniceratops was a smaller dinosaur, reaching only about 9.8 to 11 feet (3 to 3.3 meters) in length. Additionally, its horns and frill were less elaborate. While it likely possessed horns on its brow and nose, they weren't as prominent as later ceratopsians. The frill on its neck, though present, was fenestrated, meaning it had large holes filled with skin rather than solid bone. This design suggests the frill may not have been used for defense but could have served other purposes like display or heat regulation
