Rugops primus
This sculpture is the first reconstruction of a predatory dinosaur to so extensively incorporate keratinous growths on the head and face, based upon extensive examination of the textured imprints on the fossil skull. I created this bust for the public unveiling and scientific announcement of Rugops in 2004, for paleontologist Paul Sereno of the University of Chicago. The restoration of the type skull MNN IGU1 provided the framework to accurately depict this African abelisaurid.
New dinosaurs link southern landmasses in the Mid− Cretaceous
Paul C. Sereno, Jeffrey A. Wilson and Jack L. Conrad
Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B 2004 271, doi: 10.1098/rspb.2004.2692, published 7 July 2004