New Specimens Of Liaoceratops From The Early Cretaceous In Western Liaoning

Liaoceratops yanzigouensis is a small basal neoceratopsian from Lujiatun Bed of the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation in Beipiao,western Liaoning.Up to date,only three skulls were reported for L.yanzigouensis.Here,three new specimens are described and exhibit more invaluable morphology information.For example,the rostral is keeled anteriorly,and bears a broad vertical crest along its posterior midline;sutures between premaxilla,maxilla,nasal and prefrontal intersecting at a common point,several tubercles present along the ventral margin of the angular,a small tubercle presents at the dorsal border of the foramen magnum,and a thicken posterior border of the parietal frill.By using CT scan and three-dimensional reconstruction technology,the dentition is revealed,including functional teeth,replacement teeth and the remains of resorbed functional teeth.And also,the pattern of teeth replacement is discussed.In addition,inner ear of a juvenile skull is described,and its functional morphology is discussed to understand the locomotor transform in Ceratopsia.