Head-butting did not lure mates for horny-domed dinosaur

13th November, 2013

The debate over the purpose of the facial armour and spikes of Pachycephalosaurus has come closer to being solved in a study by the University of Wisconsin.

More than 20% of specimens recovered displayed scars, particularly at the top of the skull, suggesting they were used for head-butting rather than the alternative hypothesis that they were sexual display only.

The scientists subjected models of the skulls to simulated erosion (experimental taphonomy) in a fluvial environment to discount this as the cause of the observed scars.

theconversation.com: Head-butting did not lure mates for horny-domed dinosaur.