A research has proven that the well-preserved fossil of a nodosaur, a plant-eating dinosaur, might stand up to the drive of a high-speed automobile crash. The fossil, found in Alberta, Canada, belongs to Borealopelta markmitchelli , a species that lived round 110 million years in the past throughout the Early Cretaceous interval. This fossil is without doubt one of the best-preserved dinosaur specimens ever discovered, providing unprecedented insights into the defensive capabilities of the nodosaur’s armour.
Research Insights from Knowledgeable Researchers
The analysis, led by biomechanical paleontologist Dr. Michael Habib from UCLA, revealed that the keratin sheaths masking the nodosaur’s bony spikes have been considerably thicker than initially thought. The thickness of the keratin layer on the fossil was measured at almost 16 centimetres in some areas, a lot thicker than the keratin present in modern-day animals like cattle horns. This keratin, mixed with bony spikes, offered an exceptionally robust defence.
In response to Dr. Habib, the power of the nodosaur’s armour was such that it might stand up to over 125,000 joules of vitality per sq. metre—equal to the drive from a high-speed automobile collision. The analysis highlighted that this armour was a defence towards predators but it surely additionally possible performed a task in fight between males of the identical species.
Diversifications for Flexibility and Safety
The research additional advised that the nodosaur’s armour, consisting of a versatile keratin layer, allowed for better mobility and safety. If the keratin was broken, it may very well be shed, providing a fast restoration mechanism in comparison with brittle bone armour that would crack below influence. The presence of keratin would even have allowed the dinosaur to battle successfully with its rivals, which might have been essential in mating battles.
The fossil’s exceptional preservation has led to additional insights into the armour of different dinosaur species, with researchers suggesting that related diversifications might need been widespread amongst armoured dinosaurs.
