Immature Daspletosaurus sp. specimens from the Dinosaur Park Formation provide insight into ontogenetically invariant tyrannosaurid cranial morphology

Researchers have identified key cranial features that remain consistent throughout the growth of Daspletosaurus, a tyrannosaurid dinosaur from Dinosaur Provincial Park. These ontogenetically invariant characters, found in premaxilla, jugal, and lacrimal bones, allow for more accurate taxonomic identification of tyrannosaurids at different life stages. By comparing immature specimens with adult material from the Dinosaur Park and Oldman Formations, the study highlights discrete morphological traits that distinguish Daspletosaurus from its contemporary Gorgosaurus. Notably, a previously disputed specimen was reclassified as Gorgosaurus libratus based on these invariant features.

Coppock, C. C., Powers, M. J., Voris, J. T., Sharpe, H. S., & Currie, P. J. (2024). Immature Daspletosaurus sp. specimens from the Dinosaur Park Formation provide insight into ontogenetically invariant tyrannosaurid cranial morphology. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 61(12), 1227–1239. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjes-2024-0083