A Fascinating Find: The Dinosaur with Spike-Covered Armor
Modern-day Morocco was once the stomping grounds of a dinosaur with some unique features, including a three-foot-long spiked neck, a tail weapon, and a body protected by bone armor. The intriguing details about this ancient creature were revealed after its remains were carefully excavated.
The creature, known as Spicomellus, was discovered in the town of Boulemane in Morocco. The first hint of its existence was a single rib bone found in 2021. Further research and more discoveries have helped scientists understand this dinosaur better.
The Uniquely Armored Herbivore
Considered to be an ankylosaur, Spicomellus was a plant-eating dinosaur. It was roughly the size of a small car and had an intricate defensive armor that surprised scientists. The dinosaur had an array of plates and spikes all over its body, including meter-long neck spikes, large upward-pointing spikes over its hips, and various long, blade-like spikes. It also had armor made up of two long spikes and plates down the shoulder.
This level of body armor is unprecedented in any other known creature, making the Spicomellus a truly distinctive dinosaur. "This is an entirely new observation in the animal kingdom," one of the lead researchers of the study declared.
Unseen Features in Vertebrates
Another remarkable feature of Spicomellus was its rib structure. Its ribs were lined with fused spikes that jutted outwards. Such a feature has never been observed before in any other vertebrate, whether it's a living species or an extinct one.
The first glimpse of the Spicomellus fossil was described as "spine-tingling" by a paleobiology professor who co-led the project. The dinosaur's unique traits were so striking that they were almost unbelievable. "It challenges much of our existing knowledge about ankylosaurs and their evolution, showing us we still have much to learn about dinosaurs," the professor noted.
A Complex Bone Structure with Multiple Purposes
Scientists believe that the ornate bone structure of the Spicomellus served more than just a defensive purpose. The complex and visually striking bone structure might have been used to attract mates and intimidate rivals. The dinosaur's extravagant armor, which seemed to prioritize aesthetics as much as practicality, distinguished it from its less flamboyant predecessors.
A Surprising Detail in its Tail
Another intriguing find was the structure of the Spicomellus' tail. Its tail had fused vertebrae that formed a "handle," which likely led to a club-like weapon at the end. This feature was thought to have evolved much later, during the Cretaceous period, making its presence in an early ankylosaur like the Spicomellus a significant discovery.
Changing Our Understanding of Dinosaur Evolution
"The discovery of such advanced armor in an early ankylosaur shifts our understanding of how these dinosaurs evolved," stated a lead researcher on the project. "It underscores the significance of Africa's dinosaurs and highlights the need for further research to deepen our understanding of them," she added.
