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“Spicomellus” is a new genus of ankylosaur that was only described in 2021. The fossil from Morocco has fascinating characteristics.
“Spicomellus”: Armed to the teeth
The genus Spicomellus has only one confirmed species so far: Spicomellus afer.
- The bird-hipped dinosaur was discovered in the El Mers III Formation in the Middle Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Ankylosaurs were distributed across the entire globe, but were still missing in Africa.
- Spicomellus is not only the first genus of the taxon to be found on African soil, but also probably the oldest ankylosaur species found to date. The dinosaur fossil dates from the Bathonian (Middle Jurassic) period, approximately 168.3 million to 166.1 million years ago.
- The herbivorous dinosaur, which was about one meter high and three meters long, had armor made of bone plates. Unlike other ankylosaurs, these were connected to the ribs rather than the skin.
- In addition, the animal probably had numerous spikes, which, together with the armor plates, provided excellent defense against carnivorous dinosaurs.
- Even the tail weapon, one of the taxon’s hallmarks, is suspected in Spicomellus afer. However, instead of a club, it probably also had spikes, similar to those of a stegosaurus.
“Spicomellus”: Important information about the discovery
Spicomellus was first described in 2021 by the team led by museum scientist Susannah Maidment.
- In 2019, the Natural History Museum in London received the fossil that would later be identified as Spicomellus afer. It is a rib with several skin bone plates (osteoderms).
- In 2021, the first proper description followed after a detailed CT scan of the fossil. At that time, the name was derived from the Latin terms spica (pointed) and mellum (collar). Afer is a designation for species that originate from Africa.
- After the initial report, the search for further fossils of the dinosaur in its habitat continued. An expedition in 2023 found numerous additional bones of the species, enabling a more accurate determination of its appearance and other characteristics.
- All findings were summarized in another scientific paper published in 2025. Susannah Maidment and her team were also involved in this paper.
