{"id":5728,"date":"2022-01-22T19:00:38","date_gmt":"2022-01-22T18:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sciencefocus.com\/?p=106552"},"modified":"2022-01-22T19:17:10","modified_gmt":"2022-01-22T18:17:10","slug":"what-were-the-spinal-plates-on-stegosaurus-for","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/rss_feed\/what-were-the-spinal-plates-on-stegosaurus-for\/","title":{"rendered":"What were the spinal plates on Stegosaurus for?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Dr Stephen Brusatte\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Saturday, 22 January 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Stegosaurus<\/em> is one of the most recognisable dinosaurs<\/a>, for one main reason: the big, triangle-shaped plates lining its neck, back and tail. They are arranged in two rows of alternating pairs, and at the tip of the tail, they transition into a line of foreboding spikes, each more than 30cm long. The largest plates, located over the back and hips, are the size of coffee tables.<\/p>\n

Seen in side view,\u00a0Stegosaurus<\/a>\u00a0cuts a unique profile. But it is hardly alone \u2013 such plates are a defining feature of a wider group called the stegosaurs, comprised of\u00a0Stegosaurus\u00a0and its closest fossil relatives like Kentrosaurus<\/em> and Huayangosaurus<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Ever since the first\u00a0Stegosaurus<\/em>\u00a0skeletons were found in western North America during the \u2018Bone Wars<\/a>\u2019 of the 1870s, palaeontologists have debated the function of the plates. One idea was that they were defensive structures \u2013 armour to fend off the bites of the hatchet-skulled apex predator\u00a0Allosaurus<\/em>. However, some questioned whether protective plating sticking up from the back, rather than guarding the flanks, would actually be effective.<\/p>\n

More recently, researchers have posited other explanations. Stegosaurs vary widely in the size, shape and distribution of their plates, which hints that they may have been used as display structures, to signify species membership, attract mates, or intimidate rivals. Histological thin sections of the plates show their outer layer is engulfed with channels for blood vessels and nerves, which may have enabled them to act as solar panels and heat dumps, to help control metabolism.<\/p>\n

However, the dense vascularisation may have simply been used to help the sheath that once covered the bony plate \u2013 made of keratin, the same stuff as our fingernails \u2013 grow rapidly or even change colour, which would be useful for display.<\/p>\n

Although there is no firm answer, it seems display and perhaps thermoregulation are more likely functions than defence.<\/p>\n

Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n