What is the story about?
What's Happening?
A dinosaur known as Spicomellus, described as one of the 'strangest' ever found, has been discovered with an elaborate armory of long bony spikes and a tail weapon. This herbivorous dinosaur, which lived 165 million years ago, is the world's oldest ankylosaur. The fossils, based on a single rib bone found in Morocco, show bony spikes fused onto all of its ribs, a feature never seen before in any other vertebrate species. The discovery challenges existing theories about the evolution of ankylosaurs, suggesting they may have started with more complex armor than previously thought.
Why It's Important?
The discovery of Spicomellus is significant as it provides new insights into the evolution of ankylosaurs, a group of dinosaurs known for their armored bodies. The unique features of Spicomellus, such as spikes fused directly onto the bone, suggest a different evolutionary path than previously understood. This finding may lead to a reassessment of how ankylosaurs developed their defensive adaptations in response to predatory threats during the Cretaceous period. It also highlights the diversity and complexity of dinosaur species and their evolutionary strategies.
What's Next?
Researchers may continue to study the Spicomellus fossils to better understand the evolutionary history of ankylosaurs and their armor development. The discovery could prompt further excavations in Morocco to uncover more fossils that could provide additional information about this unique dinosaur. Scientists may also explore the implications of this finding for understanding the broader evolutionary patterns of herbivorous dinosaurs during the Jurassic period.
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