Hadrosaurines

Hadrosaurines, or hadrosaurines, are a subfamily of Hadrosauridae, the group of duck-billed dinosaurs. They form the main branch of hadrosaurs alongside the lambeosaurines. In general, hadrosaurines lack the tall, elaborate hollow crests found in lambeosaurines; many have small or absent crests, while others bear solid or simply shaped cranial crests.

Geological range and distribution: Hadrosaurines thrived during the Late Cretaceous and are known from a wide geographic range, with fossils in North America, Europe, and Asia. They were among the most successful and diverse herbivores of their ecosystems, occupying a variety of habitats from coastal environments to inland floodplains.

Anatomy and ecology: Hadrosaurines possessed broad beaks and dental batteries containing hundreds of tightly packed teeth, well suited for processing tough vegetation. They could move on two legs or four and reached several meters in length. Their skulls and jaw mechanics were adapted for efficient grinding of plant material, enabling consumption of a range of contemporary flora.

Notable genera and behavior: Important hadrosaurine genera include Edmontosaurus, Gryposaurus, Kritosaurus, Maiasaura, Brachylophosaurus, and Saurolophus. Maiasaura is particularly significant for evidence of nesting behavior and parental care, including fossil nests and juveniles that indicate social breeding colonies.

Overall significance: Hadrosaurines were among the most widespread and ecologically important herbivores of the Late Cretaceous, contributing to the diversity and structure of the ecosystems they inhabited. Their dental and skeletal adaptations reflect a specialized, plant-based diet and flexible locomotion.