Dracopelta

dragon shield

• draco · Latin · dragon
• pelte · Greek · small shield

The name combines the Latin "draco" (dragon) with the Greek "pelte" (a small shield). It refers to the armour plates, or osteoderms, that covered this armoured dinosaur's body. The only named species, D. zbyszewskii, honours the geologist Georges Zbyszewski.

Named by

Galton

Year named

1980

Period

Late Jurassic

Stage

Kimmeridgian

Found in

Alcobaça Formation, Portugal

An early armoured dinosaur (ankylosaur) known from fragmentary remains, including armour plates. Its exact position within Ankylosauria is uncertain.