A previously unknown species of ankylosaur called Vectipelta barretti has been discovered on the Isle of Wight in England, existing between 66 and 145 million years ago. The finding, published in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, will require a reassessment of older specimens to determine if they were misidentified.
Lead author Stuart Pond, a vertebrate paleontologist at the Natural History Museum, highlighted in a press release the need to revisit previous findings, as for the past 142 years, all ankylosaur remains on the Isle of Wight had been attributed to the well-known dinosaur Polacanthus foxii.
Fossilized Remains of an Armored Dinosaur in the Wessex Formation
A new species of armored dinosaur called Vectipelta barretti has been discovered on the Isle of Wight, marking the first description of an armored dinosaur from the region in 142 years.
According to BBC News, this finding sheds light on the diversity of ankylosaurs in the Wessex Formation and Early Cretaceous England. Previously, all ankylosaur remains on the Isle of Wight were attributed to Polacanthus foxii. However, with the discovery of Vectipelta barretti, previous finds need to be revisited.
Despite some similarities to Polacanthus foxii, the newly discovered dinosaur is believed to be distantly related. It displays distinct differences in its neck, back, and pelvic bones, and possesses a more pronounced spiked armor. The similarities between the new species and ankylosaurs found in China suggest a free movement of these dinosaurs from Asia to Europe during the Early Cretaceous period.
This discovery by the researchers at the Natural History Museum highlights the importance of the Wessex Formation site for understanding the extinction of dinosaurs.
The findings will prompt a reevaluation of other similar fossil remains that have long been associated with P. foxii, reshaping current understanding of the dinosaur fauna present in England during that period. The Wessex Formation is regarded as a valuable resource for unraveling the mysteries surrounding dinosaur extinction.
New Armored Dinosaur Species Honors Natural History Museum
In recognition of Prof. Paul Barrett's influential contributions to vertebrate paleontology and his mentorship to many researchers, the newly discovered armored dinosaur species has been named after him, Science Daily reported.
The senior author of the study, Dr. Susannah Maidment, explained that Prof. Barrett's extensive career and expertise in dinosaurs made him a deserving honoree. The newly named dinosaur, a slow-moving and spiky organism, serves as a token of gratitude for his support and mentorship.
Prof. Barrett, who has been affiliated with the Natural History Museum in London for two decades, has made significant contributions to the field. With an impressive record of 220 scientific papers published, he has also guided the research of 31 Ph.D. students and provided mentorship to numerous others, inspiring a new generation of paleontologists.
Expressing his gratitude for the recognition, Prof. Barrett noted that his first-ever research paper was also about an armored dinosaur from the NHM collections, making the honor even more meaningful.
The research team remains hopeful that more species will be discovered in the same area in the future. Dr. Maidment mentioned ongoing work on new iguanodontians waiting to be prepared and studied, indicating the potential for at least two new taxa within the collections. While ankylosaurs are comparatively rarer, the team is keeping a vigilant eye for further findings.
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