Sauroplites

lizard hoplite (armed soldier)

• sauros · Greek · lizard
• hoplites · Greek · heavily armed foot soldier

The name combines the Greek "sauros" (lizard) with "hoplites" (a heavily armed foot soldier). It refers to the armour of bony plates (osteoderms) that covered this ankylosaur's body, like a soldier's armour. The only named species, S. scutiger, has a name meaning "shield-bearer".

Named by

Bohlin

Year named

1953

Period

Early Cretaceous

Found in

Gansu Province, China

An armoured dinosaur (ankylosaur) known from fragmentary remains. Its exact classification and validity have been debated, so treat its status with caution. I have left the geologic stage and formation blank because I am not certain of them.