Skeletal and dermal armor reconstruction of Euoplocephalus tutus (Ornithischia: Ankylosauridae) from the Late Cretaceous Oldman Formation of Alberta

Abstract

Previously life reconstructions of ankylosaurid dinosaurs are incorrect in that they show uniformly shaped keeled plates arranged in neat longitudinal and transverse rows, and large spines projecting laterally from the flanks of the body. Articulated armor of Euoplocephalus tutus (previously described as the types "Scolosaurus cutleri" Nopsca and "Dyoplosaurus acutosquameus" Parks) from the Late Cretaceous Oldman Formation shows that armor shape and size varied considerably along neck, back, and tail. An attempt is made to reconstruct the skeleton and arrangement of the dermal armor of Euoplocephalus.