Signalling and Selection in the Horned Dinosaurs

The ceratopsians, or horned dinosaurs, were a diverse group of herbivorous dinosaurs from the Northern hemisphere of the second half of the Mesozoic. They range from animals of just a few kilos up to 8 ton giants like Triceratops and are famous for their incredible diversity of horns, spikes and bosses on both their faces and on the extended frill at the back of the skull. The functions of these have been debated at considerable length in the scientific literature with both inter- and intra-specific combat, and species recognition all considered. However, recently the idea that these were under sexual selection, previous incorrectly rejected, has gained considerable weight. Here it is shown how we can interpret the behaviour and signalling behaviour of these long extinct fossil animals. You can watch the talk at https://youtu.be/HwiGF4eB_Ro