Spicomellus
Spic-o-mel-le-usName meaning: Spikey Colar
Time Period: Bathonian (Middle Jurassic) 168-165 mya
Locations:Moroco-El Mers III Formation
Taxonomy:Ornithiscia-Thyreophora-Ankylosauria
Subspecies: S. afer
Characteristics ~ ~ ~ ~
Spicomellus ate low growth foliage of the environment, were probably solitary creatures, and I expect took around 12-15 years to reach maturity. Like all ankylosaurs, it was heavily fortified, with spikes running adjacent across the sides of the neck until the hip, leading to one large lance-like spike. The spikes continue again at the tail, with the largest set at the start of the tail continuing gradually decreasing in size until reaching the tail which has a thagomizer-like structure. The neck itself is extremely well protected with 3 additional long points on each side with an additional set running along the back. This tail defense is far ahead of its time compared to other ankylosaurs that typically acquired a club by the early Cretaceous. Its armor is more than excessive if we’re judging by appearances, but who knows it might be necessary. A defined predator is not known from the El Mers formation but likely a species of megalosaurid was the apex predator. In this environment, there was the sauropod Cetiosaurus mogrebiensis and the stegosaurs Adratiklit and Thyreosaurus, which I think are synonymous. The El Mers III Formation was likely a thyreophoran dominated environment and showcases both Stegosaurs and Ankylosaurs living in harmony before Ankylosaurs would inevitably replace Stegosaurs.
History & Fossils ~ ~ ~ ~
The first Spicomellus fossils were received by the Natural History Museum of London in 2019 and described in 2021. The second more complete specimen was uncovered in 2023 and now described in 2025. Spicomellus’s fossils are planned to stay in Morocco to help gather interest in future Moroccan paleontology. Spicomellus is as of now the oldest known ankylosaur and the only one we know of from Africa. It’s 3 million years older than Sarcolestes, a far more basal looking ankylosaur compared to Spicomellus which looks very derived and extreme, despite how early it is in ankylosaur evolution.
Media Deptictions ~ ~ ~ ~
None yet but a dinosaur as cool as Spicomellus is bound to gather attention.