Borealopelta - Canadian Ankylosauria, Skin-Covering Film?
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Borealopelta markmitchelli, a new species of Ankylosauria belonging to the Nodosauridae, lived during the mid-Cretaceous period (about 112-110 million years ago).
Discovered in Alberta, Canada in 2011, the front half of this dinosaur's body was preserved in astonishingly good condition, including a dark film that covered its exterior.
This film is thought to be altered skin from the dinosaur. Paleontologist Jakob Vinther from the University of Bristol in the UK claims to have found chemical traces of pheomelanin, a reddish-brown pigment, within the film.
While there is still much debate, with some opinions suggesting it is premature to determine body color due to the processes by which animal soft tissues are preserved, the discovery of such a well-preserved Ankylosauria is exciting.
Borealopelta is estimated to have been 5.5 meters long and weighed 1.3 tons.
I look forward to the day it is exhibited in Japan at a dinosaur expo or similar event.
Source - National Geographic