Claorhynchus

broken/fractured beak (or snout)

• klaō · Greek · to break
• rhynchos · Greek · beak, snout

The name combines the Greek verb "klaō" (to break) with "rhynchos" (beak or snout), giving the meaning "broken beak" or "fractured snout." It was applied in reference to the distinctive or damaged appearance of the rostral (beak) region of the specimen. The name reflects a morphological feature — real or apparent — noted in the fragmentary fossil material at the time of description.

Named by

Cope

Year named

1892

Period

Late Cretaceous

Stage

Campanian

Found in

USA (Niobrara Chalk region)

Claorhynchus is generally regarded as a nomen dubium. It was named by E.D. Cope in 1892 on the basis of a fragmentary rostral bone, and is thought to belong to a ceratopsian dinosaur, possibly referable to Triceratops or a related genus, but the material is too incomplete for confident assignment. It is not in active use as a valid genus.