Approximately how old is the oldest definitive ceratopsid, Xenoceratops, discovered in North America?
Answer
78 million years ago
The dating established for Xenoceratops, based on its location within the Milk River Formation, places it at approximately 78 million years ago. This specific chronological placement is significant because it makes Xenoceratops the oldest known definitive member of the Ceratopsidae family discovered on the North American continent. This finding notably pushed back the established timeline for when large, recognizable ceratopsids were confirmed to be present in that geographical area by several million years, suggesting an earlier establishment of the lineage in northern latitudes.
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