Spicomellus afer, an early ankylosaur from Morocco, challenges previous understanding of these armored dinosaurs. Newly discovered fossils reveal significantly larger and more elaborate spikes and bony plates than later Cretaceous ankylosaurs. This suggests that the iconic armor of later species may have evolved from simpler, more heavily spined ancestors. The discovery sheds light on the Jurassic origins of ankylosaurs, previously known only from scarce fossil evidence.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.