Armoured Dinosaur’s Unusual Spikes Had More Than a Defensive Role

Quick Summary

• Revelation: A 165-million-year-old ankylosaur fossil, Spicomellus afer, was uncovered in Morocco’s Middle Atlas mountains.The first fragment was discovered in 2021; subsequent excavations revealed a more complete skeleton.
• Armour Features: This dinosaur had unique armour including body spikes fused directly to its bones, alongside typical osteoderms (bony plates). Some spikes measured nearly a meter and were attached to its neck collar.
• Size and weight: estimated at about 4 metres long and weighing up to 2 tonnes.
• Unprecedented Design: The combination of fused spikes and osteoderms is unheard of among armoured dinosaurs or any vertebrates wiht bony plates. Researchers described the design as “baroque” due to its elaborate nature.
• functional Implications: The extreme armour likely reduced mobility, making dense vegetative navigation challenging. It might have served dual purposes, such as defense and mate attraction.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The discovery of Spicomellus afer casts light on evolutionary adaptations during the Jurassic Period, showcasing species capable of balancing protective mechanisms with reproductive display strategies. for India, which has rich paleontological heritage sites like the Kutch Basin, studying similar fossils could enhance global collaboration in understanding ancient biodiversity and survival mechanisms amidst harsh environments.Such findings inspire deeper exploration into fossil records-possibly aiding India’s scientific community in leveraging paleontology for geo-environmental insights or tourism growth based on natural history exhibitions. As demonstrated by Morocco’s atlas discoveries, unearthing regional fossils can attract international attention while expanding academic contributions globally.