Spain has established itself as a global reference in the study of stegosaur dinosaurs thanks to a recent study published in Palaeontologia Electronica. The research, led by paleontologists from the Teruel-Dinópolis Paleontological Foundation and the Alpuente Paleontological Museum, highlights the abundance of fossils in Teruel and Valencia, positioning these regions as crucial sites for understanding these dinosaurs.
Paleontological Discoveries in Teruel and Valencia
The research team has analyzed new stegosaur fossils found in various sites in the Teruel municipalities of El Castellar, Jabaloyas, Monteagudo del Castillo, Mora de Rubielos, and Riodeva, as well as in Alpuente, Valencia. These fossils have been assigned to the species Dacentrurus armatus and to groups such as Dacentrurinae, Neostegosauria, Stegosauridae, and Stegosauria. This study provides a detailed insight into the diversity and ecology of stegosaurs during the Late Jurassic, approximately 150-145 million years ago.
The research not only expands knowledge about these dinosaurs but also emphasizes the importance of the coastal Jurassic ecosystems of eastern Iberia. According to Sergio Sánchez Fenollosa, the lead author of the article, the analysis has allowed for a deeper understanding of the stegosaurs that inhabited these areas.
International Relevance and Local Support
Alberto Cobos, managing director of the Dinópolis Foundation, emphasizes that the exceptional abundance and preservation of the fossil record in Teruel and Valencia are fundamental for understanding the evolution of dinosaurs in Europe during the Late Jurassic. This finding not only places Spain on the world paleontology map but also highlights the importance of these regions as key research points.
The article, titled The plated dinosaurs (Ornithischia, Stegosauria) of eastern Iberia (Spain): Taxonomy, diversity, and ecology, has been made possible through the collaboration of Sergio Sánchez Fenollosa and Alberto Cobos from the Dinópolis Foundation, along with Maite Suñer from the Alpuente Paleontological Museum. The research is part of the E04-23R FOCONTUR Research Group, funded by the Government of Aragon, with the support of project PID2024-162804NB-I00.
This study represents a significant advance in the field of paleontology, reaffirming Spain’s importance on the international stage for the study of stegosaur dinosaurs.
