New dinosaur species have been discovered on the Isle of Wight.
It is the first new species of armored dinosaur discovered on the island since 1865 and is related to the ankylosaurs.
Despite its intimidating appearance and blade-like armor, the giant reptile, named Vectipelta barretti, only ate plants.
As New dinosaur species have been discovered on the Isle of Wight, it was found in rocks that ranged in age from 66 to 145 million years.
Professor Paul Barrett, who has worked at the Natural History Museum in London for 20 years, inspired the name Vectipelta barretti.
He stated that he was “flattered and absolutely delighted to have been recognized in this way,” and that “any physical resemblance is purely coincidental.”
Though the new dinosaur is similar to the last ankylosaur discovered on the island, Polacanthus foxii, scientists believe the two species are not related.
The recent discovery would have had more spiked armor as well as different neck, back, and pelvic bones, according to scientists.
The new species resembles ankylosaurs discovered in China, implying that they moved freely from Asia to Europe during the Early Cretaceous period.
Also read: Newly discovered dinosaur sheds light on ancient meat-eaters
Stuart Pond, a Natural History Museum researcher, said the discovery shed light on the diversity of species present in England at the time.
He stated that the discovery would prompt the reanalysis of other similar fossil remains that scientists had assumed belonged to P foxii for over a century.
The team behind the discovery said the Wessex Formation, where the new species was discovered, was a “hugely important” resource for learning more about how dinosaurs went extinct.
There are competing theories about what caused the mass extinction of dinosaurs 66 million years ago, with asteroid impacts and massive volcanic eruptions both being mentioned.
