Patagopelta, a genus of small-bodied ankylosaur, roamed the earth during the Late Cretaceous period. Discovered in Argentina, this dinosaur is noted for its distinctive neck armor and relatively small size, measuring about 2 meters long.
Key Takeaways
- Patagopelta was a small ankylosaur from the Late Cretaceous.
- It is distinguished by its unique cervical armor and compact size.
- The dinosaur’s fossils were found in Argentina’s Allen Formation.
Classification and Taxonomy
Patagopelta is a dinosaur that joins a diverse group of armored titans known as ankylosaurs, offering insights into the evolution and biological diversity of this clade.
Ankylosauria Overview
Ankylosauria is a superfamily of dinosaurs characterized by their extensive body armor and club-like tails. Patagopelta falls within this superfamily, distinguished by its heavy osteoderms and bony protrusions.
Nodosaurinae Subfamily
Within Ankylosauria, Patagopelta belongs to the Nodosauridae family, specifically the Nodosaurinae subfamily. Nodosaurids like Patagopelta lack the tail club that many of their relatives are famous for, making their defensive adaptations somewhat unique within the superfamily.
Discovery and Naming
The Patagopelta fossils emerged from the rich grounds of Argentina’s Allen Formation, sparing no detail in telling a story millions of years in the making.
Excavation Site
The Patagopelta fossil was uncovered in sediments from the Allen Formation, specifically at the Salitral Moreno locality near General Roca, Río Negro Province, Argentina. These lands date back to the upper Campanian to lower Maastrichtian ages of the Late Cretaceous period, providing a window into a prehistoric world.
Naming Significance
The name Patagopelta was meticulously chosen to reflect its discovery in Patagonia with “pelta” denoting “shield” in Greek, while the specific name cristata means “crested” in Latin. The term gen. et sp. nov. signifies it’s both a new genus and species, a classification made official by Facundo Riguetti, Leonardo Salgado, and Sebastián Rozadilla in their defining work.
Anatomical Features
The extinct nodosaurine dinosaur Patagopelta cristata exhibits distinct anatomical features, most prominently in its skeletal structure and dermal armor.
Unique Skeletal Traits
Patagopelta’s skeleton shows several unique characteristics that set it apart from other nodosaurids. Its spine is composed of robust vertebrae that provided structural support. The femora are noteworthy, with a prominently developed muscular crest on the anterior surface, indicating strong leg muscles.
Armor and Osteoderms
This dinosaur’s armor consisted of osteoderms that formed a protective layer over its body. The cervical half-ring is a particular armor feature, consisting of high-crested lateral osteoderms. Each cervical half-ring element contributed to a formidable defense against predators.
Paleobiology
Patagopelta cristata offers intriguing insights into the life of ancient ankylosaurian dinosaurs from South America, revealing their diet, behavior, and movement.
Diet and Behavior
Patagopelta cristata was an herbivorous dinosaur that thrived in what is today Argentina, primarily feeding on low-lying vegetation. These ankylosauria would have used their beaked mouths to strip leaves, relying on their digestive systems to process tough plant material.
Locomotion
As a member of the ankylosaurian dinosaurs, Patagopelta moved on all fours with a wide, stable stance. Its heavily armored body suggests it was not a fast mover, likely ambling through its habitat in search of food and possibly using its armored body as a defense mechanism against predators.
Paleoecology and Habitat
In the Late Cretaceous period, Patagopelta navigated a dynamic ecosystem that hosted a diverse array of species and environmental conditions.
Environment of the Late Cretaceous
During the Late Cretaceous, South America was a land of extensive ecosystems that varied from coastal beaches to inland forests. The region’s climate boasted warm temperatures, likely supporting lush vegetation. Patagopelta lived in what is now known as the Allen Formation, a geologic formation that has preserved a rich tapestry of dinosaur remains, giving insights into the fecundity of the Late Cretaceous period’s life.
Coexisting Fauna
Patagopelta shared its habitat with a variety of both allochthonous and native fauna. The colossal titanosaurs, another group of dinosaurs contemporaneous with Patagopelta, represented the large herbivore guild, while theropods like Aeolosaurus and Rocasaurus possibly filled the apex predator roles. Fossils discovered in the Salitral Moreno region of Argentina suggest a biodiverse community that included hadrosaurids, robust duck-billed dinosaurs.
Evolutionary and Biogeographical Significance
The discovery of Patagopelta has provided intriguing insights into the distribution and evolution of ankylosaurs, especially in relation to Patagonian dinosaurs and their North American relatives.
Patagonian Dinosaurs
Patagopelta, residing in what is now known as North Patagonia, is a testament to the diverse middle-latitudes fauna of the Late Cretaceous period. This small ankylosaur,
comparable in size to the dwarf nodosaurid Struthiosaurus, offers valuable information for understanding the paleobiogeographical context of the region. Its existence suggests a more complex evolutionary narrative for South American dinosaurs, highlighting the unique traits within the Nodosaurinae subfamily.
North American Relations
Members of the Panoplosaurini tribe, predominantly North American nodosaurids, share a close lineage with Patagopelta. The similarities and differences between these groups aid in reconstructing the first American biotic interchange, where faunal exchanges between North and South America might have occurred. Investigating Patagopelta alongside North American relatives further illuminates the evolutionary pathways that defined these armored dinosaurs’ survival and adaptation across diverse habitats and geographies.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section answers common queries about the Patagopelta, providing insights into its era, size, diet, discovery, and distinct features.
What era did the Patagopelta live in and what was its habitat?
The Patagopelta lived during the Late Cretaceous period and its fossils were discovered in what is now Argentina, specifically in sediments of the Allen Formation.
What is the estimated size and weight of the Patagopelta?
Estimates suggest that Patagopelta was relatively small for an ankylosaurid, with a length of about 2 meters.
How does the Patagopelta compare to other ankylosaurids in terms of physical characteristics?
The Patagopelta had typical nodosaurid features but was smaller in size, comparable to the dwarf nodosaurid Struthiosaurus.
What do we know about the diet of the Patagopelta, and what did it eat?
Patagopelta was a herbivore, feeding on the vegetation available in its Cretaceous habitat.
Can you describe the discovery and the researchers involved in studying the Patagopelta?
Fossil material of Patagopelta was found near General Roca, Río Negro Province, Argentina, and researchers have studied these to understand the dinosaur’s anatomical characteristics.
What are the distinctive features of Patagopelta that differentiate it from other dinosaurs in its family?
Distinctive elements of Patagopelta include its neck armor with spines and crests, a unique feature specific to this genus.