Stenopelix

Taxobox
name = "Stenopelix"

---

image_width = 250px
image_caption = "Stenopelix"
fossil_range = Early Cretaceous
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Sauropsida
superordo = Dinosauria
ordo = Ornithischia
subordo = Marginocephalia
infraordo = Pachycephalosauria
familia = Pachycephalosauridae
genus = "Stenopelix"
genus_authority = Meyer, 1857
subdivision_ranks=Species
subdivision=
*"S. valdensis" Meyer, 1852 (type)

"Stenopelix" (meaning "narrow pelvis") was a genus of small ornithischian dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous of Germany. It was a basal pachycephalosaur from the Barremian Stage of the Cretaceous. The genus is based on a partial skeleton lacking the skull, and its classification is based on characteristics of the hips.

There has been some controversy regarding the classification of "Stenopelix". It was initially suggested to be a pachycephalosaur, due to the apparent exclusion of the pubis from the acetabulum, and the presence of strong caudal ribs. Later, however, it was shown that the "pubis" was actually part of the acetabulum, and the so-called "caudal ribs" were sacral ribs. The curvature of the ischium and absence of an obturator foramen were not characteristics seen in other pachycephalosaurs.

However, the species continues to be identified as belonging to the Pachycephalosauria infraorder. Some paleontologists nonetheless view the species as being "incertae sedis".

References

* [http://www.dinoruss.com/de_4/5a786d8.htm "Stenopelix" in The Dinosaur Encyclopaedia] at Dino Russ's Lair
* [http://www.users.qwest.net/~jstweet1/pachycephalosauria.htm "Stenopelix"] at "Thescelosaurus"! (scroll down to Pachycephalosauria)