Paleontologists have unearthed a latest species of spiky dinosaur in northeastern China, a discovery that’s challenging conventional understandings of dinosaur skin. The find is notable because, unlike many dinosaurs assumed to have been solely scaled or feathered, this species exhibits a unique covering of spines.
The newly identified dinosaur, named Haolong dongi, translates to “spiny dragon” in Mandarin Chinese, a nod to its distinctive physical characteristics. The species name honors influential Chinese paleontologist Dong Zhiming, who passed away in 2024.
The New Spiky Dinosaur Species, Haolong dongi
Researchers, a joint team from China, Belgium, France, and Italy led by Jiandong Huang of China’s Anhui Geological Museum and Pascal Godefroit of the Institute of Natural Sciences in Brussels, published their findings in Nature Ecology & Evolution. The single known Haolong specimen measures 2.4 meters (8 feet) long and is a nearly complete juvenile skeleton. The preservation of soft tissue surrounding the bones has provided unprecedented insight into the dinosaur’s skin structure.
The dinosaur’s skin features overlapping scales interspersed with cylindrical spikes that project backwards from its neck and body. These spikes range in size from 2-3 mm to as long as 4 cm. This discovery adds to the growing body of evidence demonstrating the diverse range of integumentary structures found in early ornithischian dinosaurs.
Function of Haolong dongi’s Spines
According to research published in February 2026, the spines likely served multiple purposes. The team suggests they could have provided protection against predators, aided in thermoregulation, or functioned as tactile sensors. The spines may have made it more difficult for predators to attack, subdue, or consume the dinosaur.
The discovery highlights the complex evolutionary adaptations of early dinosaurs and the potential for unexpected features to be revealed through exceptional fossil preservation. Understanding these adaptations provides valuable context for reconstructing ancient ecosystems.
Other Characteristics of Haolong dongi
The Haolong dongi fossil represents a juvenile individual, with unfused bones indicating it was not fully grown at the time of its death. Researchers estimate that adult individuals may have reached approximately 5 meters (16 feet) in length. The species is classified as an iguanodontian, part of the group that includes the well-known Iguanodon and the hadrosaurs, or duck-billed dinosaurs.
Iguanodontians are themselves part of the larger ornithischian group, which also includes stegosaurs, ankylosaurs, and ceratopsians like Triceratops. The presence of spines on Haolong suggests a greater diversity of skin structures within this group than previously thought.
Engaging Facts About Haolong dongi
Discovery Location
The fossil was discovered in the Yixian Formation in northeastern China, a region renowned for its exceptionally well-preserved fossils from the Early Cretaceous period. The Yixian Formation is a key site for understanding the evolution of dinosaurs and other organisms during this time.
Estimated Age
International researchers analyzing the fossil estimate that Haolong dongi lived approximately 125 million years ago. This places it in the Barremian age of the Early Cretaceous.
Spine Development
Scientists are currently investigating whether the spines were a characteristic of adult Haolong dongi individuals or if they were shed during growth. Further research is needed to fully understand the development and function of these unique structures. The exceptional preservation of the fossil allows for detailed microscopic analysis of the skin, offering new avenues for investigation.
The discovery of Haolong dongi, as reported by USA Today, provides a fascinating glimpse into the evolutionary history of dinosaurs and demonstrates the potential for new discoveries to reshape our understanding of these ancient creatures. The detailed preservation of its skin offers a rare opportunity to study dinosaur integument at the cellular level.
