Discover How Spain’s Most Complete Stegosaur Skull is Revolutionizing Our Understanding of Dinosaurs!

A recent discovery in the rugged hills of Riodeva, Spain, is shaking up our understanding of the stegosaur, one of the most famous dinosaurs. Scientists have unearthed the most complete stegosaur skull ever found in Europe. This skull, belonging to Dacentrurus armatus, comes from a time about 150 million years ago and offers new insights into how these plated dinosaurs evolved.

The Están de Colón quarry in Teruel, known for its rich Jurassic fossils, has given us a well-preserved skull, along with over 200 bones from at least two individuals—a young one and an adult. This mix of ages is unusual among stegosaur fossils, which are often found as isolated pieces. “Finding both juvenile and adult remains in one spot is something rare,” says paleontologist Sergio Sánchez Fenollosa from Fundación Dinópolis.

Having specimens from different stages of life helps researchers understand how Dacentrurus changed as it grew. They can study everything from skull size to muscle connections. The discovery hints at possible social behaviors in these dinosaurs that we haven’t considered before.

The research team has used measurements from this skull to re-evaluate relationships among 30 different stegosaur species, looking at 115 features. This analysis proposed a new group called Neostegosauria, which includes large stegosaur species from Europe, Africa, North America, and Asia during the Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous periods. This finding suggests that recognizable traits of stegosaurs, like plated backs and spiked tails, might have developed independently in different species—an exciting twist in our understanding of their evolution.

The implications of this discovery extend beyond science. Spain, often overshadowed by fossil-rich regions like North America and Africa, is gaining respect in paleontological circles. Alberto Cobos, managing director at Fundación Dinópolis, believes this research could make Spain a key player in future studies of stegosaurs. He points out that the Están de Colón quarry is full of other treasures yet to be found, potentially leading to more breakthroughs.

In a 2022 survey, over 60% of paleontology experts noted the importance of new fossil discoveries in reshaping our understanding of dinosaur evolution. As excavations continue, the world will be watching what the Están de Colón site reveals next.

For more information on paleontological trends, you can check the American Museum of Natural History.

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