Utelus

Utelus is a genus of small to medium-sized, herbivorous dinosaurs that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 70 million years ago. The genus is known from a single species, Utelus murrayi, which was discovered in the Hell Creek Formation of South Dakota, USA. Utelus is notable for its unique combination of features, including a long, slender snout, small teeth, and a distinctive crest on the skull.

The name Utelus is derived from the Greek words "ou" meaning "not" and "telus" meaning "complete," reflecting the incomplete nature of the fossil material. The specific name murrayi honors the late paleontologist Donald B. Murray, who made significant contributions to the study of Late Cretaceous dinosaurs.

Utelus is classified as a hadrosaurid, a group of duck-billed dinosaurs characterized by their distinctive beak-like mouth and teeth adapted for grinding plant material. However, Utelus differs from other hadrosaurids in several ways. Its long, slender snout and small teeth suggest that it may have had a different feeding strategy, possibly specializing in the consumption of soft plant material or small fruits.

The discovery of Utelus provides valuable insights into the diversity and evolution of hadrosaurids during the Late Cretaceous. Its unique features highlight the ongoing adaptations and diversification within this group, contributing to our understanding of the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of Late Cretaceous ecosystems.