Ankylosaurs are a characteristic group of dinosaurs recognized by their extensive coverings of dermal bony armour, known as osteoderms, across their bodies. The Oxford Clay Formation (Callovian–Oxfordian, Middle Jurassic) in the UK is important for understanding early ankylosaur evolution as it contains some of the earliest known ankylosaur material, including a cranial osteoderm from the basal-most ankylosaur Sarcolestes (and probable postcranial osteoderms). Here, we describe an isolated osteoderm from the Oxford Clay of Peterborough that exhibits a different morphology to other osteoderms from this formation. The specimen, although incomplete along its transverse axis, measures 52.7 mm by 41 mm. The osteoderm is subrectangular with a concave ventral surface and a low, rounded keel on its dorsal surface that protrudes beyond the posterior margin of the specimen base. This morphology is superficially more similar to the thoracic osteoderms of more derived Cretaceous ankylosaurs from North America (e.g. Borealopelta ), than to Sarcolestes and other Jurassic ankylosaurs (e.g. Dracopelta , Mymoorapelta , Tianchisaurus ), but could represent a currently unknown Sarcolestes morphology. Although its isolated nature prevents reliable identification of the taxon and the body part to which it belonged, the osteoderm nevertheless indicates a larger morphological diversity in the body armour of the earliest ankylosaurs than currently appreciated.

Jordan Bestwick

Stuart Pond

Chloe L. Oliver

Martin Nunn

Adam S. Smith

Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society

《约克郡地质学会会刊》（PYGS）自 1839 年以来一直不间断出版。它是英国地质学的主要期刊之一。每年都会发行两部分，其中包含有关地质各个方面的原始研究论文。传统上，会议记录特别关注英格兰北部及其邻近地区的地质情况。鼓励提交有关相关主题但具有更普遍兴趣的论文。所有论文都经过两名独立裁判的全面审查。

The Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society (PYGS) has been published continuously since 1839 and is one of the leading journals in the field of geology in the UK. The journal releases two issues each year, featuring original research papers covering various aspects of geology. The conference proceedings particularly focus on the geological conditions of Northern England and its surrounding areas, while also encouraging submissions on related topics of broader interest. All submitted papers undergo thorough review by two independent referees.

《Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society》（PYGS）自1839年起持续出版，是英国地质学领域的重要期刊之一。该期刊每年发行两期，涵盖地质学各个方面的原创研究论文。会议记录部分特别关注英格兰北部及其邻近地区的地质情况，同时也鼓励提交与相关主题但具有更广泛兴趣的论文。所有提交的论文均经过两名独立审稿人的严格评审。

Category	Quartile
地球科学	4
地球科学, 地质学	4

A new ankylosaurian osteoderm from the Middle Jurassic Oxford Clay Formation, United Kingdom

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