Which combination of flora likely constituted the reconstructed menu for Xenoceratops in ancient Alberta?
Answer
Ferns, cattails, and flowers
The likely menu for Xenoceratops was reconstructed based on the flora common to the Late Cretaceous river deltas of ancient Alberta, which was a subtropical region. This reconstruction points toward a diet centered on low-growing vegetation, including ferns and cattails, suggesting the animal browsed on undergrowth, often near damp or riparian zones. The inclusion of flowers further indicates a broader consumption pattern, reflecting the diversification of flowering plants during that geological era. This selection contrasts with the high-canopy browsing habits associated with some long-necked sauropods.
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