Rugops

Rugops is a genus of theropod dinosaur which inhabited what is now Africa approximately 95 million years ago. The discovery of a Rugops skull in Niger in 2000 was a crucial breakthrough in the understanding of the evolution of theropods in that area, and demonstrates that this landmass was still united with Gondwana at that stage in history.

Though known only from a skull, Rugops has been estimated to have been about 6 metres long based on comparisons with its relatives. The skull bore armour or scales, and other bones had many blood vessels, causing Paul Sereno, who led the team that discovered the fossil, to say, "It's not the kind of head designed for fighting or bone-crushing", suggesting that it may have been a scavenger. The skull also bears two rows of seven holes, each of unknown purpose, although Sereno has speculated that they may have anchored some kind of crest or horns.

Like other abelisaurs, Rugops probably had very short arms. These were probably useless in fighting. They may have only been balance tools, items to counterbalance the dinosaur's head.

The type species is R. primus, discovered in the Cenomanian-age Echkar Formation. Rugops is believed to be an abelisaurid, and is related to Majungasaurus.