Ancient Fossils Uncover Odd Features of a 165-Million-Year-Old Ankylosaur from Morocco
In the heart of the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, 165 million years ago, a formidable dinosaur roamed the earth. This dinosaur, named Spicomellus afer, has recently been unveiled as the most complete skeleton of an ankylosaur ever found.
The discovery of Spicomellus has been a significant find for paleontologists, as it offers valuable insights into the evolution of these ancient creatures. Led by Maidment's team, researchers discovered and studied the fossil with its unique spiked armor features in the Boulemane region of Morocco in 2022 and 2023.
One of the most striking features of Spicomellus is its extensive spiked armor. Along its entire body, the dinosaur was covered in long spikes. But perhaps the most intriguing aspect is the three-foot-long spiked collar around its neck. Unfortunately, the dinosaur is missing its tail, but its present vertebrae suggest a club or spikes were attached to the end for use as a weapon.
The unique spikes on Spicomellus served a dual purpose. They likely provided effective defense against predators, but they may also have been used to attract potential mates. This dual functionality is a fascinating aspect of this dinosaur's design.
Spicomellus is unlike any other dinosaur found anywhere in the world. Its tiny brain, despite its ability to survive for over 100 million years, is a testament to its resilience and adaptability.
The discovery of Spicomellus afer has sparked a renewed interest in African dinosaurs. Scientists are looking to Morocco and other North African countries to expand their research and find additional evidence to support their theories. Improving our understanding of Africa's dinosaurs is crucial, as they provide invaluable insights into the evolution of life on our planet.
After discovering additional fossils, paleontologists were able to reconstruct what Spicomellus looked like. The rib bone used to identify Spicomellus afer had spines fused directly to the bone, a unique feature that sets it apart from other dinosaurs. The rib bone was originally found near Boulemane, Morocco, and it was the first bone used to identify this new species in 2019.
The discovery of elaborate armor in an early ankylosaur like Spicomellus changes our understanding of how these dinosaurs evolved. The armored collar in ankylosaurs, as seen in Spicomellus, may have simplified over time, and the reasons for this remain unanswered.
Despite the apparent complexity of its neck collar, Spicomellus' survival for over 100 million years suggests that it was able to navigate its environment effectively. The ongoing research into Spicomellus afer promises to shed more light on the evolution of ankylosaurs and the world they inhabited.
