Theiophytalia is a type of dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, around 112 million years ago. This dinosaur was herbivorous, meaning it ate plants, and it belonged to a group called iguanodontians.
The only known species of Theiophytalia is named T. kerri. The skull of this dinosaur was discovered in 1878 by a student named James Kerr in a place called the Garden of the Gods in Colorado, USA. At first, it was thought to be a part of another dinosaur called Camptosaurus, but later studies showed that it was different enough to be classified under its own name.
One of the interesting things about Theiophytalia is its skull. It has unique features that set it apart from Camptosaurus. For example, it has a longer and thicker snout, and different shapes in parts of its skull, which helped scientists decide that Theiophytalia was a separate genus.
The name Theiophytalia comes from Greek words meaning “divine garden,” a nod to the place where the skull was found. The species name, T. kerri, honors the man who discovered the fossil.
Further studies have placed Theiophytalia as a basal member of a larger group of dinosaurs called Styracosterna. Researchers have found that its closest relative may be another dinosaur called Hippodraco.
In summary, Theiophytalia is a fascinating dinosaur with a unique history and important features that help us understand more about its kind.