Borealopelta, meaning “Northern shield,” is a genus of nodosaurid ankylosaur that lived during the Lower Cretaceous period in what is now Alberta, Canada. The species, Borealopelta markmitchelli, was officially named in 2017 after a well-preserved specimen was discovered in an oil sands mine north of Fort McMurray. The specimen is notable for its remarkably well-preserved armor and has provided valuable insights into the anatomy, diet, and environment of this ancient dinosaur.
The Borealopelta specimen is one of the best-preserved dinosaur fossils ever found and has provided researchers with a wealth of information about this fascinating creature. The fossil includes not only the bones of the dinosaur but also its skin and armor, which have been preserved in remarkable detail. The armor of Borealopelta features a complex network of bony plates and spikes that likely provided protection against predators.
The discovery of Borealopelta has also shed new light on the evolution and behavior of ankylosaurs. These armored dinosaurs were once thought to be slow and lumbering, but the discovery of Borealopelta suggests that they were actually quite agile and may have been able to run at high speeds when threatened. Overall, the discovery of Borealopelta has been a major breakthrough in our understanding of these fascinating creatures and the world in which they lived.
Discovery and Naming
Discovery History
Borealopelta is a genus of nodosaurid ankylosaur that was discovered in 2011 by a mining operator working north of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. The fossil was discovered by Shawn Funk, an excavator operator who was digging up oil sands when he noticed a strange object. He initially thought it was a fossilized tree, but upon closer inspection, he realized it was a dinosaur. The fossil was then carefully extracted by paleontologists from the Royal Tyrrell Museum, who spent over 7,000 hours preparing the specimen for study.
Etymology
The generic name Borealopelta is derived from the Latin word “borealis,” meaning northern, and the Greek word “pelta,” meaning shield. The specific name, “markmitchelli,” is in honor of Mark Mitchell, the technician who spent countless hours preparing the specimen for study. The name Borealopelta refers to the fact that this dinosaur was discovered in northern Canada and had a heavily armored body that acted as a shield against predators.
Overall, the discovery of Borealopelta has provided valuable insights into the anatomy, soft tissue outline, and arrangement of dermal armor in thyreophoran dinosaurs. It is one of the best-preserved armoured dinosaurs in the world, with all its armor in place, and with stomach contents and large amounts of skin and scales still intact.
Description
Borealopelta is a genus of nodosaurid ankylosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period in Alberta, Canada. It is a plant-eating, armored dinosaur that is closely related to the famous Ankylosaurus. Caleb Brown and his colleagues named it in 2017 from a well-preserved specimen known as the Suncor nodosaur.
Physical Characteristics
Borealopelta was a heavy-set, low-slung, tank-like dinosaur that measured up to 5.5 meters long and weighed around 1.4 tons. It had a broad, flat head with a small brain, a short neck, and a bulky body. Its legs were short and stout, and it had four toes on each foot. It lacked the shin-thwacking tail clubs that some of its relatives wielded, but its back was covered in bony plates that formed a protective armor.
Armor and Defense
Borealopelta’s armor was its main defense against predators. The bony plates covering its back were up to 2.5 centimeters thick and had a honeycomb-like structure that made them both strong and lightweight. The plates were also covered in keratin, a tough protein that provided extra protection and helped to keep the dinosaur’s skin from drying out. Its armor was so effective that even its last meal was preserved in stunning detail, showing that it had swallowed its food whole without chewing.
In conclusion, Borealopelta was a fascinating dinosaur that had a unique set of physical characteristics and armor that made it an effective survivor during its time on Earth.
Paleobiology
Diet
Borealopelta was a herbivorous dinosaur, which means it fed on plants. Its diet is believed to have consisted of ferns, cycads, and conifers. The teeth of Borealopelta were leaf-shaped and serrated, which suggests that it was adapted to chew tough plant material. Its powerful jaws and teeth allowed it to process and digest tough plant material efficiently.
Habitat
Borealopelta lived in what is now Alberta, Canada, during the Lower Cretaceous period, about 110 million years ago. The region was rich in vegetation, with a mix of coniferous and deciduous trees. The climate was warm and humid, with seasonal rainfall. Borealopelta lived in a variety of environments, including forests, floodplains, and riverbanks.
Behavioral Traits
Borealopelta was an armored dinosaur, which means it had an extensive armor that covered its body. The armor consisted of bony plates and spikes that protected it from predators. Borealopelta also had a short, thick tail that was used for balance and defense. It did not have a club at the end of its tail, unlike some other ankylosaurs. Borealopelta was a slow-moving animal and relied on its armor for protection. It would have used its powerful jaws and teeth to defend itself against predators.
In summary, Borealopelta was a herbivorous dinosaur that lived in Alberta, Canada, during the Lower Cretaceous period. It had an extensive armor that covered its body and powerful jaws and teeth that allowed it to process tough plant material efficiently. Borealopelta lived in a variety of environments, including forests, floodplains, and riverbanks, and relied on its armor for protection.
Fossil Record
Fossil Sites
Borealopelta is a genus of nodosaurid ankylosaur that lived during the Lower Cretaceous period, approximately 112 million years ago. The only known fossil of Borealopelta was discovered in 2011 during mining activities north of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. The fossil was found in a layer of oil sands, which was deposited in a shallow sea that covered the region during the Cretaceous period.
Specimen Preservation
The Borealopelta fossil is one of the most well-preserved dinosaur specimens ever discovered. The fossil was so well-preserved that the remains of the dinosaur’s last meal were found in its stomach. The fossil includes the dinosaur’s skin, scales, and even some of its internal organs. The fossil was preserved by a process called “mummification,” which occurs when a dead organism is quickly buried in a low-oxygen environment, preventing decay.
The fossil of Borealopelta is currently housed at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology in Drumheller, Alberta, Canada. The specimen is on display for the public to view and study. The discovery of Borealopelta has provided valuable insights into the anatomy and behavior of nodosaurid ankylosaurs, and has helped paleontologists better understand the evolution of dinosaurs during the Cretaceous period.
Scientific Significance
Contributions to Paleontology
Borealopelta is a genus of nodosaurid ankylosaur that has contributed significantly to the field of paleontology. The discovery of the Borealopelta fossil in 2011 was a remarkable find, as it is one of the best-preserved dinosaur specimens ever found. The fossil has provided scientists with a wealth of information about the anatomy, behavior, and evolution of these fascinating creatures.
The Borealopelta fossil is so well-preserved that it has allowed scientists to study the dinosaur’s skin, scales, and even the contents of its stomach. The fossil has also provided scientists with a better understanding of the nodosaurid family of dinosaurs, which were heavily armored herbivores that lived during the Cretaceous period.
Research Studies
Since the discovery of the Borealopelta fossil, numerous research studies have been conducted to gain a better understanding of these creatures. One such study used advanced imaging techniques to create a 3D model of the dinosaur’s armor. The study revealed that the armor was made up of two layers, with the outer layer consisting of small, hexagonal scales that overlapped like shingles on a roof.
Another study used chemical analysis to study the pigments in the dinosaur’s skin. The study revealed that the Borealopelta had reddish-brown skin with countershading, which suggests that the dinosaur may have used camouflage to avoid predators.
Overall, the discovery of Borealopelta has provided scientists with a wealth of information about these fascinating creatures. The fossil has contributed significantly to the field of paleontology and has helped scientists gain a better understanding of the anatomy, behavior, and evolution of nodosaurid ankylosaurs.
Cultural Impact
Media Appearances
Borealopelta has been featured in various documentaries and television shows. The National Geographic Channel’s “Dino Autopsy” featured a life-sized model of the dinosaur, which was dissected to reveal the creature’s anatomy. The dinosaur has also been featured on the BBC’s “Planet Dinosaur” and “Dinosaur Britain” documentaries.
Public Exhibitions
The discovery of Borealopelta has also led to its inclusion in various museum exhibitions. The Royal Tyrrell Museum in Alberta, Canada has a permanent exhibit featuring the dinosaur, which includes a life-sized model and the original fossil. The dinosaur has also been featured in temporary exhibits around the world, including the Natural History Museum in London and the Melbourne Museum in Australia.
Borealopelta’s unique preservation has made it a valuable specimen for scientific research and public education. Its discovery has shed light on the evolution and behavior of armored dinosaurs, and its inclusion in museum exhibits has helped to educate the public about prehistoric life.