The study highlights the first such discovery of a Parasaurolophus cyrtocristatus skull in 97 years.
The three known species in the Parasaurolophus family include Parasaurolophus cyrtocristatus, Parasaurolophus tubicen, and Parasaurolophus walkeri.Contradicting previous studies, the researchers found that the crest of the Parasaurolophus cyrtocristatus shares much in common with another type of hard-billed dinosaur known as a Lambeosaurus.
Beyond the crest, the researchers discovered that Parasaurolophus cyrtocristatus shares a close sister relationship with another dinosaur in the same family known as P?The researchers also wondered why, of all the bones in a dinosaur's body, was the crested skull so well preserved among existing Parasaurolophus cyrtocristatus specimens.So, we may be able to thank the dinosaur's crest for helping scientists find the Parasaurolophus cyrtocristatus millions of years after dinosaurs became extinct.