About Bactrosaurus
| Scientific Name (Genus) | Bactrosaurus |
| Meaning of Name | Club lizard baktron (club) [Greek] - sauros (lizard) [Greek] |
| Classification | Ornithischia, Ornithopoda, Hadrosauridae |
| Total Length | Approx. 4-6m |
| Diet | Herbivorous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Species Name | Bactrosaurus johnsoni |
| Year of Paper Publication | 1933 |
| Genus Name Publication | Gilmore, C.W. (1933). On the dinosaurian fauna of the Iren Dabasu Formation. American Museum of Natural History. |
Features, Also Noted in Paleopathology
Bactrosaurus was an ornithopod that lived in China and Mongolia during the Late Cretaceous.
Although I thought the genus name Bactrosaurus was derived from the ancient name of the region where it was found, Bactria, it is actually derived from the Greek word for 'club' (baktron), due to the large neural spines protruding from a part of its vertebrae. In appearance, it resembles Iguanodon, but Bactrosaurus is considered one of the most primitive members of the Hadrosauroidea superfamily.
It is thought to be a close relative of the common ancestor from which the Lambeosaurinae (with their distinctive head crests) and the Hadrosaurinae (without crests) diverged, or a sister group to them. Therefore, it is a key dinosaur for understanding the early evolution of hadrosaurids.
Fossils from various age groups, from what appear to be hatchlings to adults estimated to be 6 meters long, have been discovered. This provides valuable material for studying how Bactrosaurus grew.
Furthermore, some Bactrosaurus fossils have been found with tumors on their bones (such as benign tumors and hemangiomas). This is valuable evidence showing that dinosaurs suffered from diseases similar to those seen in modern animals. It is an important subject of research for understanding what kinds of diseases were prevalent among dinosaurs.
Description Paper
Source: Gilmore, C.W. (1933). On the dinosaurian fauna of the Iren Dabasu Formation.
The first Bactrosaurus was discovered in the Iren Dabasu Formation of the Gobi Desert, China. In 1933, American paleontologist Charles W. Gilmore described the new genus and species, "Bactrosaurus johnsoni".
Bactrosaurus Gallery
