traversodontid

Traversodontids are a group of extinct, herbivorous dinosaurs that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 83 to 70 million years ago. They are known from fossils found in North America, particularly in the Hell Creek Formation of Montana and South Dakota. Traversodontids are characterized by their distinctive, toothless beaks, which were likely used for grazing on low-growing vegetation. Their teeth, when present, were small and conical, arranged in a single row on each side of the jaw.

The most well-known genus of traversodontid is Traversodon, named after the paleontologist John Bell Hatcher Travers. Other genera include Anchiceratops, which is known from a partial skull, and Olorotitan, which is known from a single tooth. Traversodontids are believed to have been small to medium-sized dinosaurs, with some species reaching lengths of up to 10 meters.

The exact relationships of traversodontids within the dinosaur family tree are still a topic of debate among paleontologists. Some studies suggest that they may be closely related to hadrosaurs, while others propose that they are more closely related to ceratopsids. Regardless of their exact position, traversodontids are an important group of dinosaurs that provide valuable insights into the diversity and evolution of herbivorous dinosaurs during the Late Cretaceous.