Explore the studies about the positioning and use of the Triceratops’ horns and frill for combat purposes to test existing hypotheses.

ABSTRACT
Triceratops attracts the anthropologists to study their features and functions of the body parts. Being an ancient animal and with horns and frills on the skull, this paper analyses the studies that associate Triceratops to combat activities. A study that used models to show orientation and combat activities showed different ways that horns could lock. Analysis of a study that used small skull revealed similar findings, though the skull was small to make reliable deductions. Further, a study on rate of lesion such as fractures on Triceratops as compared to modern ceratospid animals affirmed the combat hypothesis. Although the studies were limited by inadequate evidence, strong connection with combat activities is largely convincing.
INTRODUCTION
The Triceratops has attracted the attention of many anthropologists to study their existence, the structures of their bodies, and functions of body parts. Only anthropological studies can provide an understanding of these ancient and non-existing animals. Studies indicate that the Triceratops existed millions of years ago and on the present North American continent. Researches are based on the remains and such as skulls and bones. The animals are chasmosa urine ceratospid dinosaurs and famously known for their frill and three horns on their heads. However, the positioning and functions of the horns are associated with common hypotheses that they were weapons and used against enemies. Several researchers have focused on this aspect and give various findings linking the use of horns to combat preys or enemies. Farke (2004) used models to investigate the combat activities of the Triceratopsand gave positive findings. Goodwin et al (2006) gave supportive findings from a skull examined. Similar findings were revealed in Farke, Wolff, and Tanke (2009).This coursework explores the studies about the positioning and use of the Triceratops’ horns and frillfor combat purposes to test existing hypotheses.
DISCUSSION
The Triceratopsdiffers from the other horned dinosaurs from the positioning of frills and horns. In fact, it is regarded for its ornamentations. Its cranial ornamentation is associatedwith the lone nasal horn with two other large supraorbital horns, whose positioning is associated with use in intra-specific combat. However, there lacks a wide documented researchto prove any involvement in combat activities. Farke (2004) developed scale models for the Triceratops skull and used them to assess whether the horns could physically lock, which could show possibility for combat activities. The study revealed three possible locking positions,though involved different orientations of the skulls used. Injuries that could occur would be found on the portions of the frills, horn tips, and jugals. The design of the study followed practical approaches, but based on hypothetical positions. The design of the Triceratops’ horns was followed known structure of the animal and was a suitable presentation. However, the locking andorientations of combatant’s skulls were imaginations and hence less reliable to test the hypothesis. There also uncertainties relating to the orientation, shape,as well as the sizes of the horns that were compared to the modern horned mammals whose engagement in combat activities are different and can fight in different styles. In addition, the application of force during the horn locking could be in some parts which may not have been the case for the Triceratops.
Goodwin et al (2006) examined a small Triceratops skull labeled UCMP 154452 that was proven as being part of a ceratopsid cranial development. The documentation as a skull of the Triceratops enabled evaluation of functional roles. The authors argued that the horns as well as the frills could have been used for visual communication and recognition of other Triceratops. Through the recognition, the Triceratops could engage in combat activities with other animals. Though the study uses real skull evidence, it is small to make accurate deductions of activities carried out and therefore the findings are less reliable. The study thus does not ascertain involvement in combat activities. Farke, Wolff, and Tanke (2009) provide an analysis based on lesions in Triceratops that can be linked to involvement in combat activities. Lesions involve reactive bones, punctures as well as healing fractures that can be observed in the modern horned mammals. Rate of lesion can indicate or relate to a combat incident. The study used G-test to compare lesion rate on Triceratops and related ceratospid animals. It revealed that significant differences on the cranial horns, unlike the frill that show Triceratops used horns for in combat while the frill acted as protector. The study succeeds to prove the hypothesis, but the comparisons are not accurate as lesions could have occurred due to other factors. Further research is necessary on the Triceratops’ horn architecture and relation to combat activities to support existing knowledge.
CONCLUSION
Conclusively, there are a few documented anthropological materials focusing on the functioning of Triceratops parts and especially the horns and frill. The Triceratops has three horns and frills on the skull and existed millions years ago. Triceratops information is obtained through anthology studies. Studies on the horns and frills have associated them with use in combat activities due to their positioning on the skull. Although the studies are limited by the use of inadequate evidence and basis on hypothetical situations, they show strong the connection of Triceratopsin combat activities that may be adopted.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Farke , A.A., Wolff, E. D. S,& Tanke, D. H. (2009).Evidence of Combat in Triceratops. PLoS ONE 4(1): e4252. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0004252
Farke, A. A. (2004). Horn Use in Triceratops(Dinosauria: Ceratopsidae): Testing Behavioral Hypotheses Using Scale Models.Palaeontologia Electronica 7(1): 1-10.
Goodwin, M. B., Clemens, W. A.,Horner, J. R., & Padian, K. The Smallest Known Triceratops Skull: New Observations on CeratopsidCranial Anatomy and Ontogeny. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 26(1):103–112.