What is unique about the Haolong dongi dinosaur?

Haolong dongi is unique due to its unusual spikes and overlapping scales, with exquisitely fossilized skin preserved at a cellular level.

Where was the Haolong dongi dinosaur discovered?

The near-complete skeleton of Haolong dongi was discovered in China.

What is the suspected purpose of the spikes on Haolong dongi?

The spikes are suspected to have been an evolutionary trick to deter predators, manage temperature, or aid in sensory perception.

Home / Science / China's 'Spiny Dragon' Dinosaur Stuns Scientists

China's 'Spiny Dragon' Dinosaur Stuns Scientists

9 Feb

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Summary

Fossilized skin reveals unique spikes on Haolong dongi.
Spikes may have deterred predators or regulated temperature.
Near-complete skeleton found in China dates back 125 million years.

China's 'Spiny Dragon' Dinosaur Stuns Scientists

An extraordinary discovery has been made in China with the unearthing of Haolong dongi, a herbivorous dinosaur that lived approximately 125 million years ago. The near-complete skeleton, preserved with exquisitely fossilized skin, has astonished paleontologists with its unique characteristics.

Haolong dongi, dubbed the "spiny dragon," featured large, overlapping scales and distinct spikes along its tail. Scientists are investigating the precise function of these unusual appendages, theorizing they may have evolved to deter predators, similar to a porcupine's quills, or to assist with thermoregulation and sensory perception.

The preservation of skin at a cellular level offers an unprecedented glimpse into the biology of dinosaurs. This discovery, made using advanced X-ray scans and histological analysis of skin cells, highlights that even well-studied dinosaur groups like iguanodontians can still yield surprising insights, revealing a far greater complexity in dinosaur skin than previously imagined.