[D] Albalophosaurus yamaguchiorum [Su] [sG] [T]
Describer
Ohashi & Barrett 2009
Time
Cretaceous Early Valanginian Hauterivian
Classification
Ornithischia Genasauria Cerapoda Incertae Sedis
Diet
Herbivore
Fossilsite
Kuwajima Formation, Japan
Info
Etymology: From albus (= white, Latin), lofao (=crest bearing, Greek) and sauros (= lizard, Greek). This refers to the local mountain Hakusan (‘white mountain’ in Japanese) and to the prominent ridges present on the maxillary and dentary teeth of the holotype specimen. Species named in honor of Ichio Yamaguchi and Mikiko Yamaguchi, who have discovered and prepared many fossils from the Kuwajima Formation.
Holotype: SBEI 176, an incomplete skull including a left maxilla, left lachrymal, left jugal, left and right nasals, right frontal (with some parietal fragments attached), left palpebral, quadrate, partial prefrontal, exoccipital/opisthotic, basisphenoid, left dentary. maxillary and dentary teeth, and other indeterminate cranial fragments.
Diagnosis: The specimen possesses several unique character combinations, which can be regarded as autapomorphies among basal ornithischians. The lateral surface of the maxilla lacks a buccal emargination, but an exceptionally deep, well defined cheek recess is present on the lateral surface of the dentary; and the labial surfaces of the maxillary tooth crowns are ornamented with 10–12 fine striations.
Type Locality and Horizon: The Rein Road tunnel, Kuwajima District (formerly Shiramine Village), Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan (361201100 N; 136 3704900 E); uppermost Kuwajima Formation, Lower Cretaceous (Valanginian–Hauterivian).