{
  "schema": "omnisaura.snapshot/v3",
  "uid": "omnisaura:profile:sphaerotholus",
  "genus": "Sphaerotholus",
  "data_as_of": "2026-10-11",
  "raw_run": "2026-10-11_2",
  "profile": {
    "name": {
      "value": "Sphaerotholus",
      "rule": "PBDB leads",
      "rule_id": "merge:lead_pbdb",
      "synthesis": false,
      "sources": [
        {
          "source": "pbdb",
          "license": "CC-BY-4.0"
        }
      ]
    },
    "authority": {
      "value": "Williamson and Carr 2003",
      "rule": "PBDB leads",
      "rule_id": "merge:lead_pbdb",
      "synthesis": false,
      "sources": [
        {
          "source": "pbdb",
          "license": "CC-BY-4.0"
        }
      ]
    },
    "type_species": {
      "value": "Sphaerotholus goodwini",
      "rule": "PBDB leads",
      "rule_id": "merge:lead_pbdb",
      "synthesis": false,
      "sources": [
        {
          "source": "pbdb",
          "license": "CC-BY-4.0"
        }
      ]
    },
    "order": {
      "value": null,
      "rule": null,
      "rule_id": null,
      "synthesis": false,
      "sources": []
    },
    "family": {
      "value": "Pachycephalosauridae",
      "rule": "PBDB leads",
      "rule_id": "merge:lead_pbdb",
      "synthesis": false,
      "sources": [
        {
          "source": "pbdb",
          "license": "CC-BY-4.0"
        }
      ]
    },
    "parent_name": {
      "value": "Pachycephalosaurinae",
      "rule": "PBDB leads",
      "rule_id": "merge:lead_pbdb",
      "synthesis": false,
      "sources": [
        {
          "source": "pbdb",
          "license": "CC-BY-4.0"
        }
      ]
    },
    "headline": {
      "value": [
        83.6,
        66.0,
        "Campanian",
        "Maastrichtian"
      ],
      "rule": "PBDB leads",
      "rule_id": "merge:lead_pbdb",
      "synthesis": false,
      "sources": [
        {
          "source": "pbdb",
          "license": "CC-BY-4.0"
        }
      ]
    },
    "evidence": {
      "value": [
        83.6,
        66.0
      ],
      "rule": "Omnisaura synthesis: span of confirmed PBDB records",
      "rule_id": "merge:omnisaura_synthesis_confirmed_occurrences",
      "synthesis": true,
      "sources": [
        {
          "source": "pbdb",
          "license": "CC-BY-4.0"
        }
      ]
    },
    "countries": {
      "value": [
        "CA",
        "US"
      ],
      "rule": "Union of all sources (ISO 3166)",
      "rule_id": "merge:union_iso3166",
      "synthesis": false,
      "sources": [
        {
          "source": "pbdb",
          "license": "CC-BY-4.0"
        }
      ]
    },
    "formations": {
      "value": [
        "Dinosaur Park",
        "Hell Creek Formation",
        "Kirtland"
      ],
      "rule": "Canonical names, automatic and editor-approved matches applied",
      "rule_id": "merge:canonical_formations",
      "synthesis": false,
      "sources": [
        {
          "source": "pbdb",
          "license": "CC-BY-4.0"
        }
      ]
    },
    "diet": {
      "value": "herbivore",
      "rule": "PBDB, inferred from a group the genus belongs to",
      "rule_id": "merge:inferred_pbdb",
      "synthesis": false,
      "sources": [
        {
          "source": "pbdb",
          "license": "CC-BY-4.0"
        }
      ]
    },
    "life_habit": {
      "value": "ground dwelling, gregarious",
      "rule": "PBDB, inferred from a group the genus belongs to",
      "rule_id": "merge:inferred_pbdb",
      "synthesis": false,
      "sources": [
        {
          "source": "pbdb",
          "license": "CC-BY-4.0"
        }
      ]
    },
    "common_names": {
      "value": null,
      "rule": null,
      "rule_id": null,
      "synthesis": false,
      "sources": []
    },
    "named_after": {
      "value": null,
      "rule": null,
      "rule_id": null,
      "synthesis": false,
      "sources": []
    }
  },
  "confidence": {
    "name": {
      "level": "medium",
      "basis": "single_source",
      "reasons": [
        "Only PBDB gives this; nothing contradicts it."
      ],
      "source": "PBDB"
    },
    "authority": {
      "level": "medium",
      "basis": "single_source",
      "reasons": [
        "Only PBDB gives this; nothing contradicts it."
      ],
      "source": "PBDB"
    },
    "type_species": {
      "level": "medium",
      "basis": "single_source",
      "reasons": [
        "Only PBDB gives this; nothing contradicts it."
      ],
      "source": "PBDB"
    },
    "parent_name": {
      "level": "medium",
      "basis": "single_source",
      "reasons": [
        "Only PBDB gives this; nothing contradicts it."
      ],
      "source": "PBDB"
    },
    "family": {
      "level": "medium",
      "basis": "single_source",
      "reasons": [
        "Only PBDB gives this; nothing contradicts it."
      ],
      "source": "PBDB"
    },
    "headline": {
      "level": "medium",
      "basis": "single_source",
      "reasons": [
        "Only PBDB gives this; nothing contradicts it."
      ],
      "source": "PBDB"
    },
    "evidence": {
      "level": "medium",
      "basis": "synthesis",
      "reasons": [
        "Omnisaura's calculation from 5 confirmed PBDB records."
      ]
    },
    "diet": {
      "level": "medium",
      "basis": "single_source",
      "reasons": [
        "Only PBDB gives this, and it infers it for the whole of Ornithischia, the group this genus belongs to, not from this genus's own fossils."
      ],
      "source": "PBDB"
    },
    "life_habit": {
      "level": "low",
      "basis": "thin",
      "reasons": [
        "PBDB infers this way of life for the whole of Ornithischia; behaviour is rarely known for one genus."
      ]
    },
    "countries": {
      "level": "medium",
      "basis": "items",
      "reasons": [
        "See each entry."
      ],
      "items": [
        {
          "value": "CA",
          "level": "medium",
          "basis": "single_source",
          "reasons": [
            "Only PBDB records it (2 records)."
          ],
          "source": "PBDB"
        },
        {
          "value": "US",
          "level": "medium",
          "basis": "single_source",
          "reasons": [
            "Only PBDB records it (3 records)."
          ],
          "source": "PBDB"
        }
      ]
    },
    "formations": {
      "level": "mixed",
      "basis": "items",
      "reasons": [
        "Entries differ; see each entry."
      ],
      "items": [
        {
          "value": "Dinosaur Park",
          "level": "low",
          "basis": "thin",
          "reasons": [
            "Only one PBDB record."
          ]
        },
        {
          "value": "Hell Creek Formation",
          "level": "medium",
          "basis": "single_source",
          "reasons": [
            "Only PBDB records it (2 records)."
          ],
          "source": "PBDB"
        },
        {
          "value": "Kirtland",
          "level": "low",
          "basis": "thin",
          "reasons": [
            "Only one PBDB record."
          ]
        }
      ]
    }
  },
  "gaps": {
    "missing": [
      {
        "field": "order",
        "label": "Order",
        "note": "No source we use gives this yet."
      },
      {
        "field": "common_names",
        "label": "Common names",
        "note": "No source we use gives this yet."
      },
      {
        "field": "named_after",
        "label": "Named after",
        "note": "No source we use gives this yet."
      }
    ],
    "single_source": [
      {
        "field": "name",
        "label": "Name",
        "source": "PBDB"
      },
      {
        "field": "authority",
        "label": "Authority",
        "source": "PBDB"
      },
      {
        "field": "type_species",
        "label": "Type species",
        "source": "PBDB"
      },
      {
        "field": "parent_name",
        "label": "Parent group",
        "source": "PBDB"
      },
      {
        "field": "family",
        "label": "Family",
        "source": "PBDB"
      },
      {
        "field": "headline",
        "label": "Age (headline)",
        "source": "PBDB"
      },
      {
        "field": "diet",
        "label": "Diet",
        "source": "PBDB"
      }
    ],
    "disputed": [],
    "withheld": [
      {
        "records": "occurrences",
        "status": "tentative",
        "count": 1,
        "reason": "PBDB fossil records identified only tentatively (for example 'cf.', '?', or the genus name in quotation marks, PBDB's mark for a loose use)"
      }
    ]
  },
  "assessment": {
    "levels": {
      "high": "Two independent sources agree, or an editor has ruled.",
      "medium": "One source; nothing contradicts it.",
      "low": "Sources disagree and no editor has ruled yet, or too few records."
    },
    "by": "Omnisaura",
    "license_id": "OMNISAURA-EDITORIAL"
  },
  "formation_matches": [
    {
      "name": "Hell Creek",
      "same_as": "Hell Creek Formation",
      "status": "automatic",
      "ruling": null
    }
  ],
  "credits": {
    "genus": "Sphaerotholus",
    "scope": "confirmed matches only",
    "data_sources": [
      {
        "values": 815,
        "retrieved": [
          "2026-10-04",
          "2026-10-05",
          "2026-10-10",
          "2026-10-11"
        ],
        "source": "pbdb",
        "license_id": "CC-BY-4.0",
        "license_name": "Creative Commons Attribution 4.0",
        "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
        "requires_attribution": true,
        "attribution": "Data from the Paleobiology Database (https://paleobiodb.org), licensed CC BY 4.0.",
        "source_name": "Paleobiology Database",
        "homepage": "https://paleobiodb.org"
      },
      {
        "values": 7,
        "retrieved": [
          "2026-10-04"
        ],
        "source": "nhm",
        "license_id": "CC0-1.0",
        "license_name": "Creative Commons Zero 1.0 (public domain dedication)",
        "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/",
        "requires_attribution": false,
        "attribution": "Natural History Museum (London) Data Portal, Collection specimens dataset, https://doi.org/10.5519/0002965. Image licenses vary per record.",
        "source_name": "Natural History Museum Data Portal",
        "homepage": "https://data.nhm.ac.uk"
      }
    ],
    "images": [],
    "derived_ages": null,
    "references": 36
  },
  "credits_markdown": "## Sphaerotholus: Sources & credits\n\n_Scope: confirmed matches only._\n\n### Data\n- **Paleobiology Database** (https://paleobiodb.org): [Creative Commons Attribution 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Data from the Paleobiology Database (https://paleobiodb.org), licensed CC BY 4.0. Retrieved 4 October 2026, 5 October 2026, 10 October 2026, 11 October 2026.\n- **Natural History Museum Data Portal** (https://data.nhm.ac.uk): [Creative Commons Zero 1.0 (public domain dedication)](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). Natural History Museum (London) Data Portal, Collection specimens dataset, https://doi.org/10.5519/0002965. Image licenses vary per record. Retrieved 4 October 2026. _Credited as a courtesy: this licence doesn't require attribution._\n\n### Images (0)\n_No images._\n\n### Scientific references\n\n36 published reference(s) support this entry (via the Paleobiology Database).\n",
  "notice": "Omnisaura data combines sources under different licences. Every genus file lists its credits; anyone showing a value must show the credits for it. Images keep their own licences; share-alike images may only be shown unmodified.",
  "fossil_basis": "body",
  "identifiers": [
    {
      "scheme": "pbdb",
      "name": "Paleobiology Database",
      "id": "67681",
      "url": "https://paleobiodb.org/classic/basicTaxonInfo?taxon_no=67681"
    }
  ],
  "other_names": {
    "species": [
      "Sphaerotholus buchholtzae",
      "Sphaerotholus goodwini",
      "Sphaerotholus lyonsi",
      "Sphaerotholus triregnum"
    ],
    "synonyms": []
  },
  "original_description": {
    "citation": "T. E. Williamson, T. D. Carr (2003). A new genus of derived pachycephalosaurian from western North America. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 22(4): 779–801.",
    "authors": "T. E. Williamson, T. D. Carr",
    "year": 2003,
    "title": "A new genus of derived pachycephalosaurian from western North America",
    "publication": "Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology",
    "volume": "22",
    "issue": "4",
    "pages": "779–801",
    "doi": "10.1671/0272-4634(2002)022[0779:angodp]2.0.co;2",
    "url": "https://doi.org/10.1671/0272-4634(2002)022[0779:angodp]2.0.co;2",
    "what": "The publication the Paleobiology Database gives as the authority for this genus name, usually the one that first named and described it.",
    "confidence": {
      "level": "medium",
      "reasons": [
        "Only PBDB gives this; its author and year match the naming authority (Williamson and Carr 2003)."
      ]
    },
    "source": "pbdb",
    "source_name": "Paleobiology Database",
    "license_id": "CC-BY-4.0",
    "pbdb_reference_no": "14450"
  },
  "summary": "Omnisaura summary: Sphaerotholus, Williamson and Carr 2003\n\n- Named by: Williamson and Carr 2003 (medium confidence: only PBDB gives this; nothing contradicts it).\n- Family: Pachycephalosauridae (medium confidence: only PBDB gives this; nothing contradicts it).\n- Parent group: Pachycephalosaurinae (medium confidence: only PBDB gives this; nothing contradicts it).\n- Type species: Sphaerotholus goodwini (medium confidence: only PBDB gives this; nothing contradicts it).\n- Age, as published by the Paleobiology Database: Campanian to Maastrichtian, 83.6–66 million years ago (medium confidence: only PBDB gives this; nothing contradicts it).\n- Age, Omnisaura's own calculation (not a published figure): 83.6–66 million years ago (medium confidence: Omnisaura's calculation from 5 confirmed PBDB records).\n- Fossils found in: Canada (medium: only PBDB records it (2 records)); United States (medium: only PBDB records it (3 records)).\n- Rock formations: Hell Creek Formation (medium: only PBDB records it (2 records)); Dinosaur Park (low: only one PBDB record); Kirtland (low: only one PBDB record).\n- Original description: T. E. Williamson, T. D. Carr (2003). A new genus of derived pachycephalosaurian from western North America. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 22(4): 779–801. https://doi.org/10.1671/0272-4634(2002)022[0779:angodp]2.0.co;2 (medium confidence: only PBDB gives this; its author and year match the naming authority (Williamson and Carr 2003)).\n- Diet, inferred by PBDB for the group: herbivore (medium confidence: only PBDB gives this, and it infers it for the whole of Ornithischia, the group this genus belongs to, not from this genus's own fossils).\n- Way of life, inferred by PBDB for the group: ground dwelling, gregarious (low confidence: PBDB infers this way of life for the whole of Ornithischia; behaviour is rarely known for one genus).\n\nNot known or disputed:\n- Order: no source Omnisaura uses gives this.\n- Common names: no source Omnisaura uses gives this.\n- Named after: no source Omnisaura uses gives this.\n- 1 record(s) left out: pBDB fossil records identified only tentatively (for example 'cf.', '?', or the genus name in quotation marks, PBDB's mark for a loose use).\n\nNot covered by Omnisaura: size, weight, appearance, or behaviour beyond the way of life PBDB infers for the group. Do not fill these in from general knowledge as if they came from Omnisaura.\n\nCredits (must be shown with any of this): Natural History Museum Data Portal (CC0-1.0); Paleobiology Database (CC-BY-4.0)."
}