{"product_id":"spicomellus-afer-1","title":"Spicomellus afer","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"167\" data-end=\"619\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"167\" data-end=\"187\"\u003eSpicomellus afer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e is an ankylosaur dinosaur discovered in Morocco and first described in 2021, which has become one of the most remarkable finds in recent paleontology. It is the oldest known ankylosaur to date, with an estimated age of around \u003cstrong data-start=\"473\" data-end=\"497\"\u003e165 million years\u003c\/strong\u003e , dating back to the Middle Jurassic, making it also the first representative of this group documented in Africa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"621\" data-end=\"1038\"\u003e The name \u003cem data-start=\"631\" data-end=\"649\"\u003eSpicomellus afer\u003c\/em\u003e means “African spiny collar,” a direct reference to this animal’s most extraordinary feature: a system of \u003cstrong data-start=\"780\" data-end=\"837\"\u003ebony spines fused directly to the ribs\u003c\/strong\u003e , forming a veritable armored collar around its neck and shoulders. This arrangement is not seen in any other known dinosaur and represents a unique case in the evolution of thyreophorans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1040\" data-end=\"1831\"\u003e The remains recently recovered in excavations following the initial description have allowed for a more detailed reconstruction of the animal's anatomy. Ribs, vertebrae, dermal plates, and a set of spines have been found. In the largest specimens, these spines reached \u003cstrong data-start=\"1321\" data-end=\"1351\"\u003e87 centimeters in length\u003c\/strong\u003e , and in life, they likely exceeded one meter. These spines were arranged in the cervical region, along the sides of the body, and on the pelvis, forming rows of defenses that would have given it an imposing appearance. Furthermore, some tail vertebrae were found fused, suggesting the existence of a \u003cstrong data-start=\"1660\" data-end=\"1724\"\u003erigid structure that could have supported a tail club\u003c\/strong\u003e , pushing back the appearance of this characteristic ankylosaur weapon by about 30 million years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1833\" data-end=\"2428\"\u003e Regarding its biology, \u003cem data-start=\"1872\" data-end=\"1890\"\u003eSpicomellus afer\u003c\/em\u003e is estimated to have reached \u003cstrong data-start=\"1905\" data-end=\"1934\"\u003efour meters in length\u003c\/strong\u003e and weighed between \u003cstrong data-start=\"1950\" data-end=\"1973\"\u003eone and two tons\u003c\/strong\u003e . It was a \u003cstrong data-start=\"1993\" data-end=\"2006\"\u003eherbivorous\u003c\/strong\u003e dinosaur, probably specialized in consuming low-growing plants, such as ferns and cycads, thanks to its low and robust body. Its spectacular armor would have served a dual purpose: on the one hand, as a defense against large Jurassic predators, and on the other, as a possible element of \u003cstrong data-start=\"2301\" data-end=\"2331\"\u003esexual or social display\u003c\/strong\u003e , given the enormous energy cost involved in developing and maintaining such exaggerated armor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2430\" data-end=\"2946\"\u003e The discovery of \u003cem data-start=\"2445\" data-end=\"2463\"\u003eSpicomellus afer\u003c\/em\u003e has had a major impact on paleontology because it demonstrates that ankylosaurs were already diversified in the Middle Jurassic, much earlier than previously thought. It also confirms that these dinosaurs were not limited to Laurasia (Europe, Asia, and North America), but reached \u003cstrong data-start=\"2749\" data-end=\"2761\"\u003eGondwana\u003c\/strong\u003e , extending as far as the African continent. The fossils, cataloged under the USMBA collection, are currently housed at Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University in Fez, Morocco.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eApproximate measurements of the Spicomellus:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e \u003cspan\u003e1:35 Scale Complete\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e \u003cspan\u003eLength 114 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e \u003cspan\u003eHeight 42 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e \u003cspan\u003eWidth 50 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n \u003cspan\u003eSnout-tail length 120 mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e \u003cspan\u003eComplete 1:20 Scale\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e \u003cspan\u003eLength 201 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e \u003cspan\u003eHeight 73 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e \u003cspan\u003eWidth 86 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e \u003cspan\u003eSnout-tail length 210 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Dino and Dog","offers":[{"title":"1:35 \/ Unprimed","offer_id":54705889804556,"sku":"DC-1317-135-SINI","price":35.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:35 \/ Primed","offer_id":54705889837324,"sku":"DC-1317-135-IMPRI","price":40.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:35 \/ Hand-painted","offer_id":54705889870092,"sku":"DC-1317-135-PINTA","price":127.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:20 \/ Unprimed","offer_id":54705889902860,"sku":"DC-1317-120-SINI","price":66.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:20 \/ Primed","offer_id":54705889935628,"sku":"DC-1317-120-IMPRI","price":73.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:20 \/ Hand-painted","offer_id":54705889968396,"sku":"DC-1317-120-PINTA","price":189.6,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/1106\/7660\/files\/Spicomellus_6.jpg?v=1772731357","url":"https:\/\/dinosauriacreatures.com\/en\/products\/spicomellus-afer-1","provider":"Dinosauria Creatures","version":"1.0","type":"link"}