Borealopelta

northern shield

• borealis · Latin · northern
• pelta · Greek · shield

The name combines the Latin "borealis" (northern) with the Greek "pelta" (a small shield). It refers to the fact that this armoured nodosaurid was found in the north, in Alberta, Canada, and to the bony armour that covered its body. The type specimen is an exceptionally well-preserved "mummified" fossil that kept its armour, skin impressions and traces of colouration.

Named by

Brown et al.

Year named

2017

Period

Early Cretaceous

Stage

Aptian

Found in

Wabiskaw Member, Clearwater Formation, near Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada

A nodosaurid ankylosaur. The type species is Borealopelta markmitchelli, named after Mark Mitchell, the technician who spent years preparing the specimen.