Armored Dinosaur Discovered in England, Lived in the Early Cretaceous
Jakarta – The search for dinosaur life continues, even though they are extinct. The persistence of researchers has led to the discovery of a new species, the armored dinosaur (Vecripelta barretti), which belongs to the ankylosaurus group. This species was discovered in the Wessex Formation on the Isle of Wight, making it the first armored dinosaur from Dinosaur Island described in 142 years.
Stuart Pond, the main author of the study, explained that this discovery is an important specimen. It provides insight into the diversity of ankylosaurs in the Wessex formation and the early Cretaceous era in England. “For nearly 142 years, all ankylosaurus remains from the Isle of Wight have been identified as Polacanthus foxii, the famous dinosaur from this island. Now all those findings need to be re-examined as we have described this new species,” he said.
The newly discovered species, Vecripelta, differs from the known ankylosaurus species on the Isle of Wight, Polacanthus foxii, in several key characteristics. Fossil remains from Vecripelta show differences in the cervical and dorsal vertebrae, pelvic structure, and blade-like pronged shields. Researchers used phylogenetic analysis to study the relationships between these ankylosaurus species. Interestingly, they found that each of these species is not closely related. Additionally, Vecripelta is most closely related to several ankylosaurs from China, suggesting that early Cretaceous dinosaurs could have freely moved from Asia to Europe.
This newly discovered species lived during the Early Cretaceous, a time when rare fossil remains existed worldwide. The discovery also contributes to understanding the mass extinction of dinosaurs at the end of the Jurassic period. It highlights the importance of understanding today’s dinosaur diversity in order to comprehend past life events.
The Wessex Formation and Isle of Wight are crucial for unraveling the mass extinction event and how life might have recovered, as rock remains from this period have not been found in North America. The Isle of Wight had a climate similar to that of the Mediterranean during this time and was a floodplain covered by a large, winding river system. Fossils left by floods in the area have provided valuable insights. The flood would have washed organic matter such as plants, wood, and dinosaur bodies together. When the flood receded, the organic matter would be isolated in ponds in the dry floodplain and eventually buried in the clay soil, turning into fossils.
The newly discovered dinosaur species, Vecripelta barretti, is named after Professor Paul Barrett of the Natural History Museum (NHM) to credit his influence on vertebrate paleontology. The research team is optimistic about finding more species in the area in the future. They already have a new iguanodontia being prepared for research. The armored dinosaur is now part of an internationally important collection housed at the Dinosaur Island Museum, operated by the Isle of Wight Council.
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How does the discovery of Vecripelta on the Isle of Wight impact our understanding of the diversity of ankylosaur species in England and the previous identification of Polacanthus foxii
Compare the characteristics of Vecripelta to other known ankylosaur species, confirming its distinctiveness.
The age of Vecripelta was determined to be around 125 million years old, placing it in the early Cretaceous period. This is significant as it adds to our understanding of the diversity of ankylosaurs during this time period in England. It also highlights the importance of the Wessex Formation on the Isle of Wight as a rich source of dinosaur fossils.
The discovery of Vecripelta also raises questions about previous identifications of ankylosaur remains on the Isle of Wight. It suggests that the famous Polacanthus foxii might not be the only armored dinosaur species present, and calls for a re-evaluation of previous findings. This emphasizes the need for ongoing research and re-examination of existing fossils to uncover new insights and revise our understanding of prehistoric life.
The study of fossils and the discovery of new dinosaur species continues to captivate the scientific community and the public. Each new find adds to our knowledge of Earth’s ancient past and helps piece together the puzzle of dinosaur evolution. The discovery of Vecripelta is a reminder that there is still much to learn about these fascinating creatures, even long after their extinction.
This recent discovery of a new armored dinosaur species sheds light on the remarkable diversity and complexity of early Cretaceous life. Not only does it provide valuable insights into the past world, but it also deepens our understanding of the mass extinction events that shaped our planet’s history. Fascinating stuff!