Serendipaceratops arthurcclarkei is a VALID Early Cretaceous Ceratopsian?!

Serendipaceratops arthurcclarkei Rich & Vickers-Rich, 2003 is an Australian Early Cretaceous ceratopsian

Authors:

Rich et al

Abstract:

Serendipaceratops arthurcclarkei is one of Australia’s most enigmatic dinosaur taxa. Based on a single ulna recovered from Early Cretaceous high-latitude deposits in southeastern Australia, the fossil was originally classified as a neoceratopsian, but subsequently reassigned to Genasauria indet. because of comparisons with atypical thyreophorans. However, a morphometric and structural re-examination of the holotype indicates that it is proportionally distinguishable among dinosaurians and, indeed, manifests decisive statistical compatibility with ceratopsians. Statistical assessment similarly yields a synapomorphy that places the taxon robustly within Ceratopsia. Most certainly, identification of a unique differential character state combination renders S. arthurcclarkei as valid. Its affinity with ceratopsians concurs with proliferating records of other Laurasian dinosaur lineages from the Southern Hemisphere, and may reflect ancient Pangaean dispersals into or out of Gondwana.