An Update to Psittacosaurid Taxonomy (April 2022)

Preliminary notes

This is not original research. This is simply a review of published research. Original research based on direct study of the specimens can (and probably will) bring to light new facts. Species previously considered distinct may be synonymized. Species previously considered synonymous may be found to be distinct. New species may be named based on new material or material already in museum collections. The genus Psittacosaurus may be split.

This is a not a peer-reviewed publication.

I will be going through every species of pisttacosaurid that has been named, in order of naming. This is mostly based on Paul Sereno's 2010 review of psittacosaurids but also incorporates some more recent studies. 

Psittacosaurus osborni Young 1932

Validity

Likely junior synonym of Psittacosaurus mongoliensis according to Sereno, 2010

Holotype

originally in the collection of T. H. Ting, catalog number not given by Young (presumably uncatalogued at the time). Some online sources list IVPP RV41039 as the catalog number but I could not confirm this

badly damaged skull 

Type Locality 

Haratologay, about 100km northwest of the great bend in the Yellow River northwest of Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China

Type Horizon

Lisangou Formation

Junior synonyms

? Psittacosaurus tingi Young 1932

Senior synonyms

? Psittacosaurus mongoliensis Osborn 1923

Original Reference

Young, C. C. (1932) On Some New Dinosaurs from Western Suiyuan, Inner Mongolia Bulletin of the Geological Society of China 11(3): 259-266

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-6724.1932.mp11003005.x 

Comments

Various sources misstate the publication date as 1931. The paper was received for publication in March 1932 and published in September 1932.

Named in the same paper as the synonymous P. tingi, but the name P. osborni appears first so it has priority.

The describer's name 杨钟健 is sometimes romanized as Yang Zhongjian. I use the romanization Chung Chien Young, as this is the one used during his lifetime, and this is the name listed on his publications.

Psittacosaurus tingi Young 1932

Validity

Junior synonym of Psittacosaurus osborni according to Young, 1958

Psittacosaurus osborni is itself a likely junior synonym of Psittacosaurus mongoliensis according to Sereno, 2010

Nomen dubium according to Sereno, 2010

Holotype

originally in the collection of T. H. Ting, catalog number not given by Young (presumably uncatalogued at the time). Some online sources list IVPP RV31040 as the catalog number but I could not confirm this

fragmentary lower jaw with teeth

Type Locality

Haratologay, about 100km northwest of the great bend in the Yellow River northwest of Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China

Type Horizon

Lisangou Formation

Junior Synonyms

none

Senior Synonyms

Psittacosaurus osborni Young 1932

? Psittacosaurus mongoliensis Osborn 1923

Original Reference

Young, C. C. (1932) On Some New Dinosaurs from Western Suiyuan, Inner Mongolia Bulletin of the Geological Society of China 11(3): 259-266

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-6724.1932.mp11003005.x 

Comments

Various sources misstate the publication date as 1931. The paper was received for publication in March 1932 and published in September 1932.

Named in the same paper as the synonymous P. osborni, but the name P. osborni appears first so it has priority.

I personally agree with Sereno's conclusion that it is dubious, but remains likely represent P. osborni since they come from the same locality.

Psittacosaurus sinensis Young 1958

Validity

Valid according to Sereno, 2010

Holotype

IVPP V738, nearly complete skeleton

Type Locality

Doushan, 5 km northwest of Laiyang, Shandong (also romanized Shantung), China

Type Horizon

Doushan Formation (Qingshan Group)

Junior Synonyms

Psittacosaurus youngi Zhao 1962

Senior Synonyms

none

Original Reference

Young, C. C. (1958) The Dinosaur Remains of Laiyang, Shantung Palaeonologia Sinica Series C 16:53 159

Psittacosaurus youngi Zhao 1962

Validity

Junior synonym of Psittacosaurus sinensis according to Sereno, 2010

Holotype

BNHM BPV149, partial skeleton with well-preserved skull

Type Locality

Doushan, 5km northwest of Laiyang, Shandong, China

Type Horizon

Doushan Formation (Qingshan Group)

Junior Synonyms

none

Senior Synonyms

Psittacosaurus sinensis Young 1958

Original Reference

Zhao, X. (1962) New species of Psittacosaurus from Laiyang, Shantung. Vertebrata PalAsiatica 6: 349–360 (in Chinese)

Comments

Original description did not note any autapomorphies.

Same  type locality as P. sinensis.

Psittacosaurus guyangensis Cheng 1983

Validity

Junior synonym of Psittacosaurus mongoliensis according to Sereno, 2010

Holotype

CAGS-IG V351, partial skull

Type Locality

Guyang, Inner Mongolia, China

Type Horizon

Lisangou Formation

Junior Synonyms

none

Senior Synonyms

Psittacosaurus mongoliensis Osborn 1923

Original Reference

Cheng, Z. (1983) The Mesozoic Stratigraphy and Paleontology of Guyang Coal-bearing Basin Nei Monggol Autonomous Region, China 

Psittacosaurus xinjiangensis Sereno & Zhao 1988

Validity

Valid according to Sereno, 2010

Holotype

IVPP V7698, partial skeleton including partial skull

Type Locality

Delunshan, Junggar Basin, Xinjiang

Type Horizon

Tugulu Group

Junior Synonyms

none

Senior Synonyms

none

Original Reference

Sereno, P. C., & Chao, S (1988) Psittacosaurus xinjiangensis (Ornithischia: Ceratopsia), a new psittacosaur from the Lower Cretaceous of northwestern China. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 8:4 353-365 https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.1988.10011724 

Comments

Named in the same issue of the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology as P. meileyingensis, but the description of P. xinjiangensis appears first.

The name of the co-describer 赵喜进 is usually romanized as Zhao Xijin or but the original publication romanizes his name as Chao Shichin.

Psittacosaurus meileyingensis Sereno et al 1988

Validity

Valid according to Sereno, 2010

Holotype

IVPP V7705, partial skull

Type Locality

Meileyingzi, Beipiao, 60 km southwest of Chaoyang, Liaoning, China

Type Horizon

Jiufotang Formation, Jehol Group

Junior Synonyms

none

Senior Synonyms

none

Original Reference

Sereno, P. C. et al (1988) Psittacosaurus meileyingensis (Ornithischia: Ceratopsia), a new psittacosaur from the Lower Cretaceous of northeastern China. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 8:4 366-377 https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.1988.10011725 

Comments

Some sources list Sereno and Zhao only as the describers, when there are in fact four co-describers: Paul Sereno, Zhao Xijin, Cheng Zhengwu, and Rao Chenggang.

Named in the same issue of the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology as P. xinjiangensis, but the description of P. xinjiangensis appears first.

Psittacosaurus sattayaraki Buffetaut & Suteethorn 1992

Validity

Nomen dubium, referrable to Ceratopsia indet. according to Sereno, 2010

Holotype

TF 2449a, right dentary

Type Locality

Ban Dong Bang Noi, 20km east of Chaiyaphum, Chaiyaphum Province, northeast Thailand

Type Horizon

Khok Kruat Formation

Junior Synonyms

none

Senior Synonyms

none

Original Reference

Buffetaut E. & Suteethorn V. (1992) A new species of the ornithischian dinosaur Psittacosaurus from the Early Cretaceous of Thailand. Palaeontology 35(4) 801-812 https://rb.gy/9ounxm

Psittacosaurus neimongoliensis Russell & Zhao 1996

Validity

Valid according to Sereno et al 2010

Holotype

IVPP 12-0888-2, nearly complete skeleton

Type Locality

1 km southeast of Yangpo, 80 km west of Dongshen, near Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China

Type Horizon

Ejinhoro Formation

Junior Synonyms

none

Senior Synonyms

none

Original Reference

Russell, D. A. & Zhao, X.-J. (1996) New psittacosaur occurrences in Inner Mongolia. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 33(4) 637-648 https://doi.org/10.1139/e96-047

Comments

The name of the co-describer 赵喜进 is usually romanized as Zhao Xijin or but the original publication romanizes his name as Zhao Xi-Jin.

Psittacosaurus ordosensis Russel & Zhao 1996

Validity

Nomen dubium according to Sereno, 2010, possible junior synonym of Psittacosaurus sinensis

Holotype

IVPP 07-0888-1, partial skull and fragmentary skeleton

Type Locality

1 km south of Huamuxiao, near Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China

Type Horizon

Ejinhoro Formation

Junior Synonyms

none

Senior Synonyms

? Psittacosaurus sinensis Young 1958

Original Reference

Russell, D. A. & Zhao, X.-J. (1996) New psittacosaur occurrences in Inner Mongolia. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 33(4) 637-648 https://doi.org/10.1139/e96-047

Comments

The name of the co-describer 赵喜进 is usually romanized as Zhao Xijin or but the original publication romanizes his name as Zhao Xi-Jin.

Psittacosaurus mazongshanensis Xu 1997

Validity

Nomen dubium according to Sereno, 2010

Holotype

IVPP V12165, lower jaws and partial maxilla

Type Locality

Suanjiangzi Basin, Gansu, China

Type Horizon

Xinminbao Group

Junior Synonyms

none

Senior Synonyms

none

Original Reference

Xu, X. (1997) A new psittacosaur (Psittacosaurus mazongshanensis) from Mazongshan area, Gansu Province, China in Sino-Japanese Silk Road Expedition edited by Dong, Z 48-67

Comments

Despite the name, it is not part of the Mazongshan Dinosaur Fauna.

Psittacosaurus sibiricus Voronkevich & Averianov 2000

Validity

Valid according to Sereno, 2010

Holotype

PM TGU 16/4-20  (Cyrillic: ПМ ТГУ 16/4-20), articulated skeleton with skull

Type Locality

Shestakovo 3, Shestakovo, Kemerovo, Russia

Type Horizon

Ilek Formation

Junior Synonyms

none

Senior Synonyms

none

Original Reference

Leshchinskiy, S. V. et al (2000) Preliminary results of the investigation of the Shestakovo localities of Early Cretaceous vertebrates (in Russian) https://rb.gy/b1ore0

Comments

Authorship is often misattributed to Averianov et al 2006, but that paper is a detailed description of the species that was previously named.

Hongshanosaurus houi You et al 2003

Validity

Senior synonym of Psittacosaurus lujiatunensis, but the name Psittacosaurus lujiatunensis is preferred due to better preservation of holotype, according to Hedrick & Dodson 2013

Holotype

IVPP V 12704, almost complete juvenile skull with articulated lower jaw

Type Locality

Beipiao, Liaoning, China

Type Horizon

Yixian Formation, Jehol Group

Junior Synonyms

Psittacosaurus lujiatunensis Zhou et al 2006 (preferred name)

Psittacosaurus houi You et al 2003 (combination Sereno 2010)

?Psittacosaurus major Sereno et al 2007

Senior synonyms

none

Original Reference

You, H. et al (2003) A New Genus of Psittacosauridae (Dinosauria: Ornithopoda) and the Origin and Early Evolution of Marginocephalian Dinosaurs. Acta Geologica Sinica 77(1) 15-20  https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-6724.2003.tb00105.x

Comments

Normally houi would have priority over lujiatunensis and would be combined as Psittacosaurus houi but as some sources (e.g. Sereno 2010) consider Hongshanosaurus/Psittacosaurus houi a possible nomen dubium, so the name Psittacosaurus lujiatunensis, which has a better-preserved and diagnostic holotype, is preferred.

Psittacosaurus lujiatunensis Zhou et al 2006

Validity

Junior synonym of Psittacosaurus houi or Hongshanosaurus houi but the name Psittacosaurus lujiatunensis is preferred due to better preservation of the holotype, according to Hedrick & Dodson 2013

Valid but overlumped according to Napoli et al 2019

Holotype

ZMNH M8137, nearly complete skull with lower jaws

Type Locality

Lujiatun, near Beipiao, Liaoning

Type Horizon

Yixian Formation, Jehol Group

Junior Synonyms

?Psittacosaurus major Sereno et al 2007

Senior Synonyms

Hongshanosaurus houi You et al 2003

Psittacosaurus houi You et al 2003 (combination Sereno 2010)

Original Reference

Zhou, C.-F. et al (2006) A new species of Psittacosaurus (Dinosauria: Ceratopsia) from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation, Liaoning, China Palaeoworld 15(1) 100-114 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palwor.2005.11.001

Psittacosaurus major Sereno et al 2007

Validity

In need of revision, status uncertain. 

Junior synonym of Psittacosaurus lujiatunensis according to Hedrick & Dodson 2013

Napoli et al 2019 recovered different specimens referred to P. lujiatunensis in different positions in their phylogeny, pointed out possible problems with the Hedrick & Dodson study, and argued that P. major should be considered valid but did not propose a revised diagnosis for the species.

Holotype

LH PV 1, skull and nearly complete postcranial skeleton

Type Locality

Near Beipiao, Liaoning, China

Type Horizon

Yixian Formation, Jehol Group

Junior Synonyms

none

Senior Synonyms

?Hongshanosaurus houi You et al 2003

?Psittacosaurus houi You et al 2003 (combination Sereno 2010)

?Psittacosarus lujiatunensis Zhou et al 2006

Original Reference

Sereno, P. C. et al (2007) New psittacosaurid highlights skull enlargement in horned dinosaurs Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 52(2) 275-284 https://www.app.pan.pl/article/item/app52-275.html

Psittacosaurus gobiensis Sereno et al 2010

Validity

Valid according to Sereno, 2010 and Sereno et al 2010

Holotype

LH PV 2, articulated skeleton with skull

Type Locality

40°59'42.4" N, 104°3'53.8" E, southwest of Suhongtu, Inner Mongolia, China

Type Horizon

Bayan Gobi Formation

Junior Synonyms

none

Senior Synonyms

none

Original Reference

Sereno, P. C. et al (2010) A new psittacosaur from Inner Mongolia and the parrot-like structure and function of the psittacosaur skull. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 277 199- 209 https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2009.0691

Comments

Nomen nudum published June 2009, validly published 2010.

Referred to in Sereno 2010 review as unnamed Psittacosaurus sp. in review. 

Psittacosaurus houi You et al 2003 (combination Sereno 2010)

Validity

Synonym of Psittacosaurus lujiatunensis according to Hedrick & Dodson 2013

Holotype

IVPP V 12704, almost complete juvenile skull with articulated lower jaw

Type Locality

Beipiao, Liaoning, China

Type Horizon

Yixian Formation, Jehol Group

Junior Synonyms

Psittacosaurus lujiatunensis Zhou et al 2006

Senior Synonyms

Hongshanosaurus houi You et al 2003

Original Reference

Sereno, P. C. (2010). Taxonomy, cranial morphology, and relationships of parrot-beaked dinosaurs (Ceratopsia:Psittacosaurus) In Ryan, M. J. et al New Perspectives on Horned Dinosaurs: The Royal Tyrrell Museum Ceratopsian Symposium. pp. 21–58. https://rb.gy/ewd3wi 

Comments

Psittacosaurus lujiatunensis is the preferred name due to P. houi being possibly dubious.

Psittacosaurus amitabha Napoli et al 2019

Validity

Valid according to Napoli et al 2019

Holotype

IGM 100/1132, nearly complete skull and fragmentary postcrania

Type Locality

Ondai Sayr, Ussuk, Tsaagan Nor, Central Mongolia

Type Horizon

Andakhuduk Formation

Junior Synonyms

none

Senior Synonyms

none

Original Reference

Napoli, J. G. et al (2019) Psittacosaurus amitabha, a New Species of Ceratopsian Dinosaur from the Ondai Sayr Locality, Central Mongolia American Museum Novitates 3932 http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/handle/2246/6953

Sources

• Osborn, H. F. (1923) Two Lower Cretaceous dinosaurs of Mongolia. American Museum Novitates, 95 http://hdl.handle.net/2246/3267 

• Turner, A. H. et al (2007) A small derived theropod from Öösh, early Cretaceous, Baykhangor Mongolia. American Museum Novitates, 3557 http://hdl.handle.net/2246/5845 

• Sereno, P. C. (2010). Taxonomy, cranial morphology, and relationships of parrot-beaked dinosaurs (Ceratopsia:Psittacosaurus) In Ryan, M. J. et al New Perspectives on Horned Dinosaurs: The Royal Tyrrell Museum Ceratopsian Symposium. pp. 21–58. https://rb.gy/ewd3wi 

• Osborn, H. F. (1924) Psittacosaurus and Protiguanodon: Two lower Cretaceous Iguanodonts from Mongolia. American Museum Novitates, 127 http://hdl.handle.net/2246/3221 

• Dong, Z.-M. (1993) Early Cretaceous dinosaur faunas in China: an introduction Canadian journal of Earth Sciences 30(10): 2096-2100 https://doi.org/10.1139/e93-181

• The Dinosauria edited by David Weishampel, Peter Dodson, Halszka Osmólska (1990)

• Young, C. C. (1958) The Dinosaur Remains of Laiyang, Shantung Palaeonologia Sinica Series C 16:53 159

• Zhao, X. (1962) New species of Psittacosaurus from Laiyang, Shantung. Vertebrata PalAsiatica 6: 349–360 (in Chinese)

• Sereno, P. C., & Chao, S (1988) Psittacosaurus xinjiangensis (Ornithischia: Ceratopsia), a new psittacosaur from the Lower Cretaceous of northwestern China. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 8:4 353-365 https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.1988.10011724 

• Sereno, P. C. et al (1988) Psittacosaurus meileyingensis (Ornithischia: Ceratopsia), a new psittacosaur from the Lower Cretaceous of northeastern China. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 8:4 366-377 https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.1988.10011725 

• Buffetaut E. & Suteethorn V. (1992) A new species of the ornithischian dinosaur Psittacosaurus from the Early Cretaceous of Thailand. Palaeontology 35(4) 801-812 https://rb.gy/9ounxm

• Russell, D. A. & Zhao, X.-J. (1996) New psittacosaur occurrences in Inner Mongolia. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 33(4) 637-648 https://doi.org/10.1139/e96-047

• You, H. et al (2018) Introducing the Mazongshan Dinosaur Fauna Memoir (Society of Vertebrate Paleontology) 18 https://www.jstor.org/stable/26787604

• Tang, F. et al (2001) Biostratigraphy and palaeoenvironment of the dinosaur-bearing sediments in Lower Cretaceous of Mazongshan area, Gansu Province, China. Cretaceous Research 22(1) 115-129 https://doi.org/10.1006/cres.2000.0242

• Leshchinskiy, S. V. et al (2000) Preliminary results of the investigation of the Shestakovo localities of Early Cretaceous vertebrates (in Russian) https://rb.gy/b1ore0

• Averianov, A. O. et al (2006) A Ceratopsian dinosaur Psittacosaurus sibiricus from the Early Cretaceous of West Siberia, Russia and its phylogenetic relationships. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology 4:4 359-395 https://doi.org/10.1017/S1477201906001933

• Hedrick, B. P. & Dodson, P. (2013) Lujiatun Psittacosaurids: Understanding Individual and Taphonomic Variation Using 3D Geometric Morphometrics PLoS ONE 8(8) e69265 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0069265

• Zhou, C.-F. et al (2006) A new species of Psittacosaurus (Dinosauria: Ceratopsia) from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation, Liaoning, China Palaeoworld 15(1) 100-114 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palwor.2005.11.001

• Sereno, P. C. et al (2007) New psittacosaurid highlights skull enlargement in horned dinosaurs Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 52(2) 275-284 https://www.app.pan.pl/article/item/app52-275.html

• Sereno, P. C. et al (2010) A new psittacosaur from Inner Mongolia and the parrot-like structure and function of the psittacosaur skull. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 277 199-209 https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2009.0691

• Napoli, J. G. et al (2019) Psittacosaurus amitabha, a New Species of Ceratopsian Dinosaur from the Ondai Sayr Locality, Central Mongolia American Museum Novitates 3932 http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/handle/2246/6953

Updates

Original Version posted 4/14/2022 was missing information on the taxonomic status of P. major.

Update posted 5/4/2022 incorporated missing information on the taxonomic status of P. major.

Cite this post

McDavid, Skye N (2022). An Update to Psittacosaurid Taxonomy (April 2022) Skye McDavid Blog https://www.skyemcdavid.com/blog/psittacosaurid-taxonomy-2022