Rhabdodon was a genus of herbivorous ornithopod dinosaur from the Rhabdodontidae family that inhabited Europe near the end of the age of dinosaurs. These were among the last non-avian dinosaurs in the region before the mass extinction event 66 million years ago. Fossils discovered in southern France and Spain paint a picture of an animal adapted to its specific environment.
Anatomy and Appearance
Rhabdodon was a medium-sized dinosaur, with estimates placing its length between four and six meters (about 13 to 20 feet). It had a stocky build supported by strong hind limbs and comparatively short forelimbs, suggesting a posture that could shift between walking on two legs or four. This frame supported a body weight estimated around 250 kilograms (550 lbs).
The skull was a defining feature, being relatively large for its body and somewhat triangular. The front of the snout ended in a narrow, toothless beak for cropping vegetation, while further back were rows of large, leaf-shaped teeth for grinding down tough plant material.
An Island Dweller of the Late Cretaceous
Rhabdodon lived during the final stage of the Cretaceous Period, approximately 70 to 66 million years ago. During this time, Europe was not a continuous landmass but an extensive archipelago of islands set in a shallow tropical sea. This isolated setting is linked to an evolutionary phenomenon known as insular dwarfism, where limited resources cause large species to evolve smaller body sizes.
While some of its relatives like Zalmoxes show clear signs of this dwarfism, Rhabdodon was large compared to other members of its family. This has led to the suggestion that it may have experienced a form of gigantism on the larger islands of the archipelago.
Diet and Lifestyle
As a herbivore, Rhabdodon used its specialized anatomy to process a diet of fibrous plants. Isotope analysis of its remains indicates it fed on C3 plants, which would have included vegetation like ferns and conifers available in its habitat.
Within its island ecosystem, Rhabdodon was a primary consumer, playing a role as prey for local predators. Fossil evidence from the same geological formations shows it coexisted with carnivorous dinosaurs such as the abelisaurid Arcovenator. The question of whether Rhabdodon was primarily bipedal or quadrupedal is debated, but its skeletal structure suggests it was likely capable of both. Fossil assemblages of multiple individuals suggest they may have been gregarious animals.