Autapomorphies to Consider

Wendiceratops was described as possessing two novel autapomorphies and a distinct, but not novel, nasal horn. The horn is similar to others within the centrosaurine group. These similarities helped to place the dinosaur in the centrosaurine group, but this was not the only reason that Wendiceratops was assigned to the group. The first noted autapomorphy also led to the assignment of Wendiceratops. The epiparietals previously describe here and in the paper shared yesterday are characteristically centrosaurine in their morphology and help to set apart Wendiceratops and other centrosaurine dinosaurs. The general characteristic shape of the epiparietals is similar to other centrosaurs, but they are also unique enough to warrant a new genus and species. The second autapomorphy involves the posterior end of the ischium. That end is rectangular and is expanded moreso than in other ceratopsians as well as centrosaurs.