Jurassic dinosaur Spicomellus afer stuns scientists with bizarre armor

Published: Friday, August 29, 2025 at 10:51 am

Jurassic Dinosaur Discovery Rewrites Ankylosaur History

A recent paleontological discovery has sent ripples through the scientific community, challenging long-held beliefs about the evolution of armored dinosaurs, known as ankylosaurs. The fossilized remains of *Spicomellus afer*, a Jurassic-era ankylosaur, have revealed an animal unlike any other, boasting an extraordinary array of bizarre armor.

Previously, scientists believed that ankylosaurs, characterized by their armored bodies, primarily inhabited the Northern Hemisphere during the late stages of the Age of Dinosaurs. However, the *Spicomellus afer* fossils, dating back over 165 million years, have been found in what is now Morocco, making it the earliest known ankylosaur and the first from Africa.

The dinosaur's armor is particularly striking. Long, blade-like spikes fused to its ribs, shoulder spines, and upward-projecting spikes on its back and hips, along with a neck collar of spikes, created a display unlike anything seen before. The discovery suggests that the armor served not only as protection but also as a display feature, potentially for attracting mates or intimidating rivals.

Furthermore, the *Spicomellus afer* fossils show that the tail vertebrae were partially fused, suggesting the early development of a tail club, a weapon previously thought to have evolved tens of millions of years later. This finding pushes back the timeline for the evolution of this feature.

The discovery of *Spicomellus afer* is reshaping scientists' understanding of dinosaur evolution. It highlights the importance of African fossils in the global story of dinosaurs and underscores the role of display features in early ankylosaur evolution. The find also demonstrates how a single fossil can overturn long-held assumptions and rewrite scientific narratives.

BNN's Perspective: This discovery is a testament to the power of scientific exploration and the importance of international collaboration. It reminds us that there is still much to learn about the history of life on Earth and that new discoveries can reshape our understanding of the past.

Keywords: Spicomellus afer, ankylosaur, dinosaur, Jurassic, armor, fossil, evolution, Morocco, Africa, tail club, paleontologists, spikes, vertebrae, display, defense, Natural History Museum, University of Birmingham, Driss Ouarhache, Middle Jurassic, Cretaceous, Nature, Extreme armour in the worlds oldest ankylosaur

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