Monolophosaurus

Filed under Jurassic dinosaurs · Types of Dinosaurs editorial team

Order: Saurischia · Suborder: Theropoda

Monolophosaurus was a medium-sized carnivorous dinosaur that roamed what is now China during the Middle Jurassic period. Measuring between 16 and 18 feet in length, this theropod earned its name—meaning "single-crested lizard"—from the distinctive hollow crest that ran along the midline of its skull. This prominent feature was formed from the nasal bones and is believed to have functioned in display or possibly in the production and amplification of sounds, serving as a signal to other members of its species.

As an active predator, Monolophosaurus hunted other animals in its Jurassic environment, representing an early example of large-bodied theropods during a time of significant dinosaur diversification. The dinosaur is known from a relatively complete skeleton, making it an important source of information about theropod anatomy and biology in this era. The discovery and study of Monolophosaurus have provided paleontologists with insights into the diversity of predatory dinosaur forms and the evolutionary adaptations that characterized theropod lineages as they continued to evolve and dominate ecosystems across the globe.

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Reference background: Natural History Museum, London — Dinosaurs; Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Dinosaurs; American Museum of Natural History — Dinosaurs & Fossils. Figures are typical published ranges; taxonomy follows the source era and modern consensus is noted where it differs. See our sources & fact-check policy.

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