Ahshislesaurus (meaning Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness lizard) is an extinct genus of saurolophine hadrosaur that lived in Late Cretaceous of New Mexico, US. The type species is Ahshislesaurus wimani.
Discovery and Naming[]
In 1935, American Paleontologist Charles W. Gilmore published an article in Smithonian Institution, in which he reviewed and described many reptile fossils collected from the outcrops of the Kirtland Formation in New Mexico. While Gilmore did not provide a detailed description for this specimen, he noted supposed close similarities between it and Kritosaurus. Gilmore further noted that it was smaller than the type specimen of Kritosaurus. Over the following years, several publications discussed the holotype (USNM VP-8629)'s validity. In 1987, Spencer G. Lucas and his colleagues mentioned as it is referrable to the genus Kritosaurus. In the edited volume of Dinosaurs of New Mexico in 2000, Thomas E. Williamson provided the first published depiction of the specimen. He also figured and briefly described other hadrosaurid fossils, such as NMMNH P-25057. Prieto-Márquez in 2013 provided the first detailed description and analysis of the holotype. The following year, Spencer and Robert M. Sullivan revisited the specimen, and confirmed that it is unconvincing to refer the specimen to Kritosaurus. In 2025, it was named by Sebastian G. Dalman and his colleagues. The generic name combines Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness's name and Sauros, meaning lizard, while the specific name is named after Carl Wiman, a Swedish paleontologist.
Description[]
The entire rear portion of the skull is preserved, and there is no ornamentation seen on other hadrosaurids. The axis of the holotype has a sub-triangular neural spine, where the dorsal margin is fan-like. The third and fourth cervical vertebrae have opisthocoelous centra. The holotype is incomplete. The parapophyses are prominent on the lateral sides of the vertebrae. The quadratojugal bone is long, with a generally uniform width. The posterior process of this bone is convex and broad.
Classification[]
It is classified as a member of Kritosaurini. Its sister taxon is Naashoibitosaurus ostromi.
Paleoecology[]
It coexisted with Bistahieversor, Pentaceratops, Stegoceras, Bisticeratops, Terminocavus, and others in the Kirtland Formation.
Gallery[]
