Illustration of the nodosaur Borealopelta markmitchelli, which had protective armor made of thick keratin sheaths over bony spines.(Alamy/livescience)
Based on the latest findings, the armor on the Ankylosaurus dinosaur is thought to be able to withstand impacts equivalent to a high-speed car accident. This is revealed through the best-preserved and best-preserved dinosaur fossils in history.
The fossil belongs to a nodosaur, a species of plant-eating dinosaur that could grow up to 5.5 meters (18 feet) and lived about 110 to 112 million years ago, during the Early Cretaceous period. This fossil is so well preserved that scientists can measure the strength of the keratin plates and bone spines that cover it.
“This dinosaur could withstand an F150 hit at full speed,” Michael Habib, a biomechanical paleontologist at UCLA, who is also one of the authors of the study, told Live Science. Habib presented these findings regarding nodosaur armor at the annual meeting of the Society for Vertebrate Paleontology on October 30.
In general, only bone spines remain in armored dinosaur fossils. This happens because the keratin of dead cells that form structures such as hair and nails does not easily fossilize. Previously, paleontologists thought that the primary protection of armored dinosaurs, such as nodosaurs and stegosaurus, came from the bone structure remaining in fossils, with a thin layer of keratin possibly coating the bones, similar to a turtle shell.
However, in 2017, remarkably well-preserved fossils of a new species of nodosaur, Borealopelta markmitchelli, were discovered in a mine in Alberta, Canada.
“This fossil is incredibly beautiful, incredibly well-preserved,” Emma Schachner, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Florida who was not involved in the research, told Live Science. The fossil was so intact that researchers were able to analyze the color of its armor and even identify the last remaining food in its stomach. Previously, no armored dinosaur fossils had been well preserved to preserve the keratin intact.
This preserved fossil shows a layer of keratin over the bones, but it is thicker than expected at almost 16 cm (6.3 inches) in some parts. By comparison, the keratin layer on a modern cow’s horn is only 1.5 cm (0.6 inch) thick, Habib said.
By examining the structure and size of these keratin layers and comparing them with the keratin armor in modern animals such as porcupine spines, Habib and his team calculated the strength that nodosaur armor could withstand. The team even created synthetic nodosaur armor for CBC’s Dinosaur Cold Case and tested the armor using the bite force of an artificial Acrocanthosaurus jaw.
Calculations show that the nodosaur could probably have withstood more than 125,000 joules of energy per square meter equivalent to the force of a high-speed car crash.
“These dinosaurs weren’t just wearing armor, they were wearing bulletproof vests over the armor,” Habib said.
“Borealopelta lived in a world inhabited by large carnivorous dinosaurs,” said Habib. “This carnivorous dinosaur had a very strong bite force. If you rely on stiff, brittle armor made from bone, and it is hit hard, the armor will crack.”
In contrast, the keratin coating allows this armor to have flexibility, and can be easily replaced if it suffers damage — similar to clipping a broken nail rather than healing a broken living bone.
Its armor was so strong that it could withstand more force than any predator of its time could exert. This suggests that the armor may also have been used in battles between males over females, Habib said.
“This is one of the ongoing questions: Are they fighting with each other, or with other animals?” Schachner said.
“What they found seems to suggest that this armor was more functional for fighting between animals of the same species,” he added.
This research also reveals new insights into dinosaur armor in general. Most likely, most armored dinosaurs also had a thick layer of keratin.
“Horned dinosaurs with armored faces and heads may have used more keratin than previously thought,” explains Habib. (Z-12)
Source: livescience.com
The Armored Marvel of the Cretaceous: Meet the Nodosaur!
Picture this: You’ve just popped into your local museum, and there it is, a dinosaur fossil that looks like it’s just come back from a spa day. This, my friends, is none other than the extraordinary Borealopelta markmitchelli, a nodosaur that raises the bar—and the armor!—when it comes to surviving the harsh realities of the Cretaceous period.
Based on the latest findings, the armor on the Ankylosaurus—or as I like to call it, the “Tough Guy” of the dinosaur world—is thought to withstand impacts corresponding to a high-speed car accident. That’s right; we’re talking about armoring strong enough to take a hit from a Ford F-150 at full throttle! Just imagine explaining that at a dinner party: “Oh yes, my pet dinosaur? It can survive truck accidents.”
The Fossil & Its Fabulous Find
This beauty of a fossil hails from a nodosaur that could have stretched up to a jaw-dropping 5.5 meters (or 18 feet for those keeping track in the good ol’ Imperial system). It’s like the T-Rex’s vegetarian cousin who just happened to work out a lot—having lived a mere 110 to 112 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous period.
But what makes this specimen particularly special? It turns out this fossil is so well-preserved you can practically see its last meal flash through its mind. Thanks to some astonishing discoveries in 2017 in Alberta, Canada, scientists uncovered a treasure trove of information. The preservation is so impressive that researchers got to analyze the colors of its armor without having to ask a makeup artist for help!
The Science of Strength
Our dino-armored pal has a keratin layer that, spoiler alert, is far thicker than your average dinosaur enthusiast might expect. We’re talking about an impressive 16 cm (6.3 inches) in some areas. To put that into perspective, anyone who’s tried to grow a decent fingernail knows the struggle of breaking a nail at merely 1.5 cm (0.6 inches) thick. Imagine the pedicure bills on that!
So how do these clever scientists measure the strength of this ancient tank? By comparing its armor to modern animals, like porcupines—yes, the ones that manage to make any cuddle session quite challenging. Armed with this information, they calculated the nodosaur’s armor could withstand impacts equivalent to over 125,000 joules of energy per square meter. Think of that as it casually getting hit in a car crash and saying, “Is that all you’ve got?”
Armor Fit for a Cretaceous King
“These dinosaurs weren’t just wearing armor; they were sporting bulletproof vests over their armor,” states Michael Habib, a biomechanical paleontologist with all the right credentials. This flexible gimmick allows the nodosaur to take a beating whilst remaining fashionable. Seriously, who needs a gym membership when your body’s built like a steel fortress?
This remarkable structure suggests that those lush, green fields of the Cretaceous weren’t just for grazing—they were also playgrounds for the eligible bachelor nodosaurs trying to nab better partners. Yes, the armor could have been more than just protection; it served as a “don’t mess with me!” sign to fellow male nodosaurs. Talk about a competitive dating scene!
Reevaluating Dinosaurs—Through a Keratin Lens
This new information is changing our understanding of dinosaur armor as a whole. It turns out, most armored dinosaurs probably sported a robust keratin layer—not just naked bones flexing about awkwardly. The short end of the stick? Those horned dinosaurs with armored faces and heads may have had far more keratin going on than we ever imagined. Just goes to show you, always look beneath the surface!
More than 125,000 joules of energy per square meter, which is akin to the forces experienced during a high-speed car crash. Talk about going the extra mile for safety!
Michael Habib, a biomechanical paleontologist at UCLA and one of the study’s authors, elaborated on the impressive capabilities of this ancient creature’s defense mechanism. “These dinosaurs weren’t just wearing armor; they were wearing bulletproof vests over the armor,” he quipped, adorning our image of the formidable nodosaur as a walking fortress.
Functionality and Evolution
But wait, it gets even more fascinating! The keratin layer on the nodosaur’s armor isn’t just for show; it provides flexibility that would have allowed for repairs over time, much like trimming a broken nail rather than dealing with the hassle of healing a bone fracture. Imagine living in a world filled with giant carnivorous dinosaurs that have a bite force capable of cracking traditional armor. The nodosaur, however, was built for resilience!
The discovery of this robust armor suggests potential advantages during encounters not only with predators but also with other nodosaurs. Habib postulates that the armor could have played a dual role in defending against attacks and in displays of strength during male-to-male competition for mates. Emma Schachner, an evolutionary biologist, emphasized, “What they found seems to suggest that this armor was more functional for fighting between animals of the same species.” So, not only was our nodosaur tough, but it also had its social dynamics to contend with!
Broader Implications
The implications of this research extend beyond just nodosaurs. It hints at a broader trend among armored dinosaurs, suggesting that many of them likely had similar thick keratin layers. “Horned dinosaurs with armored faces and heads may have used more keratin than previously thought,” noted Habib. This finding sparks curiosity about the evolutionary pathways of these ancient giants.
So next time you’re flipping through a paleontology article or visiting a museum exhibit, remember that the armored marvels of the Cretaceous, like the Borealopelta markmitchelli, showcase an incredible blend of biology, evolution, and resilience that continues to captivate scientists and enthusiasts alike. Who would have thought that a dinosaur could provide such robust insights into ancient survival tactics while sporting a dazzlingly elegant exterior?
