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Description

Reconstruction of the basal tetanuran Monolophosaurus jiangi from the middle Jurassic of China.
This is my second reconstruction of this taxon. Monolophosaurus is a medium-sized theropod, 5.5 m according to Gregory Paul. The most characteristic feature of the animal - a strange skull crest. This structure clearly did not have a combat purpose: CAT-scans revealed a strong pneumatisation of the nasal bone. Apparently, there were air sacs in the cavities. The crest is triangular in cross-section, but with a flat top. I think that the cranial crest of Monolophosaurus was used mainly for demonstration purpose. In addition, the animal could make some sounds, using the cranial cavities. Heavy pneumatisation also observed for cervical vertebrae.

Interestingly, typical specimen (IVPP 84019) has some pathology. The tenth and eleventh spinous processes are damaged and fused together. In addition, the individual has a series of parallel lines on the tooth bone, which can be traces of teeth.
This reconstruction of Monolophosaurus has a spiked crest on the neck and torso, formed by long scales, as in the modern lizards of the Iguana genus. Similar scales adorn the hands. Yes, these are long modified scales, but not protofeathers. Speculative details, of course.
Black ink pen, 2018.

Description

Reconstruction of the basal tetanuran Monolophosaurus jiangi from the middle Jurassic of China.
This is my second reconstruction of this taxon. Monolophosaurus is a medium-sized theropod, 5.5 m according to Gregory Paul. The most characteristic feature of the animal - a strange skull crest. This structure clearly did not have a combat purpose: CAT-scans revealed a strong pneumatisation of the nasal bone. Apparently, there were air sacs in the cavities. The crest is triangular in cross-section, but with a flat top. I think that the cranial crest of Monolophosaurus was used mainly for demonstration purpose. In addition, the animal could make some sounds, using the cranial cavities. Heavy pneumatisation also observed for cervical vertebrae.

Interestingly, typical specimen (IVPP 84019) has some pathology. The tenth and eleventh spinous processes are damaged and fused together. In addition, the individual has a series of parallel lines on the tooth bone, which can be traces of teeth.
This reconstruction of Monolophosaurus has a spiked crest on the neck and torso, formed by long scales, as in the modern lizards of the Iguana genus. Similar scales adorn the hands. Yes, these are long modified scales, but not protofeathers. Speculative details, of course.
Black ink pen, 2018.