Marginocephalia

9.9

A group of plant-eating dinosaurs with a bony shelf or frill at the back of the skull

noun
/ˌmɑrdʒɪnoʊˈsɛfəliə/

Specialized

: Marginocephalia

The defining feature of Marginocephalia is a shelf or frill along the back of the skull.

Examples

Pachycephalosaurs and ceratopsians are both members of the Marginocephalia.
Did you know that Marginocephalia were primarily herbivores?
Scientists believe Marginocephalia first appeared during the Jurassic period.
The Marginocephalia group includes many fascinating species.
Pachycephalosaurs and ceratopsians are both members of the Marginocephalia.
The defining feature of Marginocephalia is a shelf or frill along the back of the skull.
Scientists believe Marginocephalia first appeared during the Jurassic period.

Surface Forms

Marginocephalia singular

Marginocephalias plural

Morphology

Marginocephalia = margino + cephalia

The term is a specialized scientific classification with roots that are not standalone English words, making it opaque to general learners.

Etymology

Marginocephalia comes from the parts margin ('edge') and cephal- ('head'). So it means 'edge of the head', which helps you remember that these plant-eating dinosaurs have a bony shelf or frill along the back of the skull.