Adratiklit
Adratiklit is an extinct genus of stegosaurian dinosaur that lived in Gondwana during the Middle Jurassic period. Its remains were discovered in Morocco, making it the first described eurypodan taxon from North Africa. Adratiklit is considered one of the oldest known stegosaurs, with an estimated body length of up to 7 meters.
Key Facts
- ›Adratiklit lived during the Middle Jurassic (Bathonian age) on the supercontinent Gondwana.
- ›Its fossils were found in the El Mers III Formation near Boulemane in north Morocco.
- ›It is the first described eurypodan taxon from North Africa.
- ›Adratiklit is among the oldest known stegosaurs, similar in age to Bashanosaurus and Isaberrysaura.
- ›The genus name Adratiklit means "mountain lizard" in Berber.
- ›Estimated body length is up to 7 meters (23 ft), with a humerus measuring 61 cm (24 in).
Estimated body length up to 7 meters, Humerus measures 61 cm long, Unique derived traits in dorsal vertebrae
Dacentrurus, Miragaia, Kentrosaurus, Paranthodon, Bashanosaurus, Isaberrysaura
North Africa
About Adratiklit
Adratiklit is an extinct genus of stegosaurian dinosaur that roamed the supercontinent Gondwana during the Middle Jurassic period. The genus is known from a single species, Adratiklit boulahfa, whose fossil remains were unearthed in the El Mers III Formation near Boulemane in north Morocco. This discovery is significant as it represents the first described eurypodan taxon from North Africa, a region where such dinosaur remains are notably rare compared to the northern continents of Laurasia.
Discovery and Naming
The genus and species were formally described in 2019 by paleontologists Susannah Maidment, Thomas J. Raven, Driss Ouarhache, and Paul M. Barrett. The holotype consists of a dorsal vertebra, with referred specimens including additional vertebrae and a humerus, likely representing multiple individuals. The generic name, Adratiklit, is derived from Berber words meaning "mountain lizard," while the specific epithet, boulahfa, references the locality where the fossils were reportedly found.
Physical Characteristics and Classification
Adratiklit is estimated to have reached a body length of up to 7 meters (23 feet). Its humerus measured approximately 61 cm (24 inches) long. Unique derived traits, or autapomorphies, in its dorsal vertebrae help distinguish it from other stegosaurs. Phylogenetic analyses suggest Adratiklit is more closely related to European stegosaurs like Dacentrurus and Miragaia than to southern African taxa such as Kentrosaurus. This places it within the subfamily Dacentrurinae and marks it as one of the oldest known stegosaurs, comparable in age to other early stegosaurian finds.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Adratiklit mean?
The generic name Adratiklit is derived from the Berber words "adrar," meaning "mountain," and "tiklit," meaning "lizard." Thus, the name translates to "mountain lizard."
Where were the fossils of Adratiklit found?
Fossils of Adratiklit were discovered in the El Mers III Formation, located near Boulemane in north Morocco. This discovery marked the first described eurypodan taxon from North Africa.
When did Adratiklit live?
Adratiklit lived during the Middle Jurassic period, specifically the Bathonian age. This places it among the older known members of the stegosaur group.
How large was Adratiklit?
Adratiklit had an estimated body length of up to 7 meters (23 feet). The fossilized humerus, or upper arm bone, measured 61 centimeters (24 inches) in length.
What makes Adratiklit unique among stegosaurs?
Adratiklit possesses two unique derived traits (autapomorphies) in its dorsal vertebrae. These include a small, triangular protrusion on the prezygapophysis and specific ridge formations on the centroparapophysal laminae, which are diagnostic for the taxon.
Related Dinosaur species
Ajnabia
Ajnabia is a genus of small hadrosaurid dinosaur that lived in Morocco during the Late Cretaceous period. Its discovery was significant as it represented the first definitive hadrosaur from Africa, a continent previously thought to be isolated from hadrosaur populations by oceans. Ajnabia is believed to have reached Africa through oceanic dispersal, likely related to European hadrosaurs.
Atlasaurus
Atlasaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur that lived during the Middle Jurassic period in North Africa. Known for its relatively large size, it is distinguished by features such as a proportionately larger skull, shorter neck, and more elongated limbs compared to its relative Brachiosaurus. The type species, Atlasaurus imelakei, was named for its giant stature and the region of its discovery.
Azendohsaurus
Azendohsaurus is an extinct genus of herbivorous archosauromorph reptile that lived during the late Middle to early Late Triassic Period. Initially believed to be a dinosaur due to its jaw and tooth structure, further skeletal discoveries revealed it to be a more primitive archosauromorph that convergently evolved sauropod-like features. This discovery expanded our understanding of herbivorous archosauromorph diversity outside of dinosaurs.