2025-08-27T15:06:46Z

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Imagine a creature so heavily armored it could rival a medieval knight, yet its fierce appearance was all about love! A recent fossil discovery in the mountains of Morocco has unveiled the extraordinary Spicomellus afer, an early ankylosaur with an armor display that suggests it was more about attracting mates than fending off predators.

Researchers have uncovered this fascinating creature, dating back to the Middle Jurassic period (around 174.7 to 161.5 million years ago), and their findings have sent shockwaves through the paleontological community. The study, published on August 27 in the journal Nature, reveals that the impressive spikes adorning Spicomellus afer were likely a form of sexual selection, much like the extravagant tail of a peacock, rather than a mere defense mechanism.

Lead author Susannah Maidment, a paleontologist at the Natural History Museum in London, expressed her initial skepticism upon discovering the bizarre rib fragment in 2021, which hinted at the species’ existence. “It was so weird that the first thing we did was a CT scan to check that it wasn't fake,” Maidment recounted in an interview. Thankfully, the fossils were authentic, leading to a treasure trove of findings in the Middle Atlas Mountains near Boulemane in 2023.

The latest fossil remains include vertebral and rib fragments, parts of the pelvis, and osteoderms—those fascinating bony deposits found in modern reptiles like crocodiles. From this patchwork of bones, the researchers were able to piece together an image of S. afer, a low-slung, turtle-like creature that could grow to about 13 feet (4 meters) in length. However, Maidment cautioned that the incomplete skeleton means these measurements are likely just estimates.

What truly sets this dinosaur apart is its unique neck armor. Unlike typical ankylosaurs which sport a series of fused flat plates, Spicomellus afer boasted a robust bony collar adorned with massive spikes reaching at least 34 inches (87 centimeters) long. These astonishing features are thought to have played a dual role: a striking display for potential mates and a secondary defensive mechanism against predators.

In addition to its impressive neck spikes, researchers believe the tail of S. afer also had a mace-like end, suggesting that the species may have wielded its tail for both attraction and defense. One of the blade-like spines discovered measured a formidable 17 inches (42 cm), hinting at the evolutionary beginnings of the formidable defensive clubs seen in later ankylosaurs.

As paleontologists continue to analyze this remarkable find, one thing is clear: the evolution of these creatures involved not just survival tactics, but also the complexities of attraction in the prehistoric world. The unexpected idea that function may have followed fashion among ankylosaurs opens a new chapter in our understanding of dinosaur behavior and evolution.