**Serendipaceratops** is a genus of dinosaurs that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, around 122.5 to 112 million years ago. Its name means “serendipitous horned face,” which hints at its likely resemblance to other horned dinosaurs.
The first bone from Serendipaceratops, a lower arm bone called an ulna, was discovered in 1993 in Australia, near Kilcunda, Victoria. This discovery happened during a project known as “Dinosaur Cove.” The ulna was found in a special place on the sea floor that was protected from strong waves.
In 2003, scientists Tom Rich and Patricia Vickers-Rich named the dinosaur Serendipaceratops arthurcclarkei. They initially thought this fossil might belong to a different type of dinosaur but later learned it looked much like the ulna of a dinosaur called Leptoceratops. The unique name refers to a lucky discovery and is a tribute to the famous science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke, who loved dinosaurs as a child.
So far, only one important ulna bone, about 16 centimeters long, has been found. Its top part is broken, but the bone is flattened, suggesting it had distinctive features.
Initially, Serendipaceratops was thought to be a member of the ceratopsian family, which includes many horned dinosaurs. This made it special because it was considered one of the earliest known ceratopsians in the southern hemisphere.
However, further studies showed that the ulna might not resemble those of the ceratopsians. Some researchers found that it looked more like a bone from an ankylosaur, another kind of dinosaur with tough, armored skin. Because of this, opinions about its classification changed over the years.
In summary, Serendipaceratops is a fascinating dinosaur with a complex history of discovery and classification. It adds to our understanding of the diverse dinosaurs that roamed Australia long ago.