See the dinosaur that had 'elaborate' spikes and 'extreme' armor

Researchers have discovered a fossil in Morocco of a dinosaur species that roamed the plains of northern Africa at least 165 million years ago, featuring a dangerous tail and "extreme" armor.

A group of 13 scientists revealed findings from a "much more complete specimen" of a Spicomellus afer in an article published by Nature .

The spicomellus is named for the first fossil of the species that was discovered, a rib fragment with fused spikes from the Middle Jurassic of Morocco, which suggested it was an ankylosaur. The rib fragment was the oldest record of the group globally and the only one from Africa at the time.

The new discovery, announced on Aug. 27, contained vertebrae, dorsal ribs, and spikes.

When it roamed, the spicomellus had a plethora of spikes that appeared to have mad