A spiny dragon dinosaur fossil has been identified in northeastern China, where scientists uncovered a 125-million-year-old specimen preserved well enough to reveal rare details of its skin. The discovery offers one of the clearest looks to date at what this plant-eating dinosaur may have looked like in life.
Researchers identified the animal as Haolong dongi, a member of the iguanodontian group. The species carried long and short spikes across its body, giving it a porcupine-like appearance. Scientists believe the spikes likely helped protect the dinosaur from predators in its ancient ecosystem.
Early details of the ‘spiny dragon’ dinosaur fossil
An international research team led by China’s Anhui Geological Museum and the Institute of Natural Sciences in Belgium located the fossil in the region’s rich sediment beds. The specimen included large overlapping scales on the tail, along with patches of skin that had not been expected.
Experts said the variety and structure of the spikes have never been seen in other dinosaurs. They noted that while defense was probably the main function, the spikes might also have helped the dinosaur sense its surroundings or regulate body temperature.
Huang Jiandong of Anhui Geological Museum said the study shows dinosaur skin was far more complex than previously understood.
Pascal Godefroit of the Institute of Natural Sciences described the preservation of skin at the cellular level as extraordinary and said it provides a rare look into the biology of an animal that lived more than 100 million years ago.
