Ancient “Spiny Bracelet” dinosaur Rewrites Ankyosaur Evolution
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A newly discovered ankyloosaur, Spicomellus afer, unearthed in Africa, is challenging long-held beliefs about the evolution of armored dinosaurs. dating back approximately 165 million years, this remarkable find boasts a unique “spine necklace” – a meter-long arrangement of fused thorns – and offers crucial insights into the progress of defensive armor in these prehistoric creatures.
The discovery, made during an expedition in 2023, highlights the paleontological meaning of Morocco and the African continent.
A New Species Emerges: Spicomellus afer
The name Spicomellus afer itself provides a clue to the dinosaur’s distinctive features. Derived from Latin, “Spicomellus” translates to “spine and bracelet” or “spiny bracelet,” aptly describing the fused thorns forming a protective collar around its neck. This unusual characteristic immediately set Spicomellus afer apart, sparking debate among specialists regarding its classification.
“Morocco’s fauna shows surprisingly features several,” one paleontologist noted, “for an era when ankyosaurs were thought to have a much more morphology simple.”
Understanding the Ankyloosaurs
Ankylosaurs were a group of herbivorous dinosaurs characterized by their low, wide bodies covered in bony plates and spikes. These served as formidable armor, protecting them from predators.They thrived from the Middle Jurassic period (around 165 million years ago) through the end of the Cretaceous period (66 million years ago), with fossils discovered across North America, Europe, Asia, and now, significantly, Africa.
Many ankyloosaurs possessed a massive bone club at the tip of their tails, used as a powerful defensive weapon. Spicomellus afer exhibited fused vertebrae suggesting a similar structure was developing, though the complete tail was not preserved during excavation. These dinosaurs also had short legs, robust skulls, and teeth adapted for crushing tough vegetation.
The Energetic Cost of Armor
The development of such prominent thorns, as seen in Spicomellus afer, likely required a considerable energy expenditure. This suggests a strong selective pressure for enhanced defense, potentially driven by the presence of formidable predators during the Middle Jurassic. The functional analysis of the armor indicates a complex interplay between protection and physiological cost.
Implications for paleontology
The identification of Spicomellus afer as an ankyloosaur was not straightforward, due to its unique combination of morphological characteristics.The finding underscores the importance of continued paleontological research in Africa, revealing a more complex and diverse evolut
Why: The discovery of Spicomellus afer challenges existing understanding of ankyloosaur evolution, specifically regarding the early development of armor.
Who: The discovery was made by paleontologists during a 2023 expedition, with contributions from specialists debating its classification.
What: Spicomellus afer is a newly discovered ankyloosaur with a unique “spine necklace” of fused thorns, dating back 165 million years.How did it end?: Spicomellus afer existed during the Middle Jurassic period. The fossil record doesn’t indicate a specific cause of extinction for this individual or the species, but like other dinosaurs, it ultimately disappeared with the
