Paleontologists have announced the discovery of Spicomellus afer, the world's oldest known ankylosaur, in Morocco's Middle Jurassic deposits. Unearthed in the Atlas Mountains near Boulemane, this ancient creature, estimated to be around 13 feet (4 meters) long and weighing up to two tons, presents an extraordinary example of early dinosaur armor.
The fossil remains reveal a dinosaur adorned with exceptionally unique defensive features. Spicomellus possessed a bony collar around its neck, complete with spines, and spikes protruding from its ribs. Notably, some of these spikes measured up to 87 cm (34 inches) in length, a characteristic fused directly to the ribs—a trait unprecedented in any known vertebrate. Further analysis of its skeletal structure indicates the presence of a tail weapon, such as a club, suggesting that such defensive mechanisms evolved in ankylosaurs approximately 30 million years earlier than previously documented.
Leading the research were Professor Susannah Maidment of the Natural History Museum in London and the University of Birmingham, alongside Professor Richard Butler of the University of Birmingham. Their findings, published in the journal Nature, suggest that the elaborate armor of Spicomellus afer may have served a dual purpose. While providing defense, the extravagance of the spikes, particularly those adorning the neck, leads experts to theorize they were primarily for display, possibly for attracting mates or asserting dominance, akin to a peacock's plumage. This perspective challenges earlier assumptions that such complex armor evolved later in ankylosaur history.
The discovery of Spicomellus afer is particularly significant for understanding the early diversification of ankylosaurs. Previously, the fossil record suggested these armored dinosaurs primarily emerged in Asia and North America. However, this Moroccan find firmly places North Africa as a crucial region in their evolutionary journey, filling a considerable gap in scientific knowledge about these ancient reptiles. It indicates that the evolutionary pathways for ankylosaurs were more diverse and geographically widespread much earlier than once believed, with complex adaptations appearing at the dawn of their lineage. This remarkable specimen not only reshapes our understanding of dinosaur evolution but also highlights the rich paleontological heritage of Morocco.