Scientists have discovered a bizarre armoured dinosaur which had metre-long spikes sticking out from its neck. The species, called Spicomellus afer, lived 165 million years ago and represents the oldest known example of a group of armoured dinosaurs known as ankylosaurs.
The elaborateness and spikiness of this animal found in Morocco has come as a shock to experts, who now have to rethink how these armoured dinosaurs evolved. According to Prof Richard Butler, from the University of Birmingham, who co-led the research, it was the 'punk rocker' of its time.
Punk rock is a sub-culture and music style that first emerged in the 1970s, characterized by its spiky fashion and rebellious attitude.
Prof Butler remarked that it is one of the strangest dinosaurs ever discovered. The project co-leader, Prof Susannah Maidment from the Natural History Museum, noted that the spikes were unusual as they were directly fused to the bone, a feature not observed in any other known animal.
The elaborateness and spikiness of this animal found in Morocco has come as a shock to experts, who now have to rethink how these armoured dinosaurs evolved. According to Prof Richard Butler, from the University of Birmingham, who co-led the research, it was the 'punk rocker' of its time.
Punk rock is a sub-culture and music style that first emerged in the 1970s, characterized by its spiky fashion and rebellious attitude.
Prof Butler remarked that it is one of the strangest dinosaurs ever discovered. The project co-leader, Prof Susannah Maidment from the Natural History Museum, noted that the spikes were unusual as they were directly fused to the bone, a feature not observed in any other known animal.
