FOSSILS SPECIMEN: THYREOPHORAN DINOSAURS

Fossils are defined as any evidence of prehistoric life. There are two types of fossils: Body Fossils include remains of skeletal bones, shell, carapace, test and teeth. Trace Fossils are clues the organism existed such as foot prints, tracks, burrows and coprolites (fossil dung).

Thyreophora meaning “sheild bearers”, are a group of herbivorous armoured dinosaurs. First appearing the fossil record during the early Jurassic and disappear at the end Cretaeous KPG (formerly KT) extinction. The two major clades of Thyreophorans are the spike and plate bearing Stegosaurids and the heavily armoured Ankylosaurids. To see my model and toy Thyreophorans click here.

Phylum: Chordata – Class: Reptilia – Clade: Archosaur – Clade: Dinosauria – Order: Ornithischia – Suborder: Thyreophora “shield bearers”

(armored dinosaurs)

Lower Jurassic to Upper Cretaceous

Stegosaurus tail spike (Cast)

Upper Jurassic

North America