Ferganocephale

Classification

Ferganocephale was originally classified in the group Pachycephalosauridae. It would then be one of the oldest known pachycephalosaurids. In 2024, a comprehensive analysis of early ornithischian evolution found Ferganocephale to be most similar to Chaoyangsauridae in overall morphology but refrained from referring it to this clade based on its lack of denticles and strength of the cingulum. The authors of this analysis instead considered it an indeterminate member of Saphornithischia.

Discovery and naming

The type species, Ferganocephale adenticulatum, was first described by Averianov, Martin, and Bakirov in 2005, and is based solely on teeth from the Balabansai Svita in Fergana Valley, Kyrgyzstan, dating to the Callovian. The holotype is ZIN PH 34/42, an adult unworn tooth. The type species is Ferganocephale adenticulatum. The genus name combines the name of location it was found with the Greek kephale, "head", a reference to the presumed pachycephalosaurian affinities. The specific name means "without tooth serrations".

References

References

1. Averianov. (2005). "Pterosaur and dinosaur remains from the Middle Jurassic Balabansai Svita in the northern Fergana Depression, Kyrgyzstan (Central Asia)". Palaeontology.
2. Sullivan, Robert M.. (2006). "A taxonomic review of the Pachycephalosauridae (Dinosauria: Ornithischia)". New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin.
3. (2024-12-31). "A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on early ornithischian evolution". Journal of Systematic Palaeontology.