Ziapelta

Zia shield

• Zia · Keresan (Zia Pueblo) · the Zia people/pueblo of New Mexico
• pelta · Greek · small shield

Ziapelta is an armoured ankylosaurid from New Mexico. The first part refers to the Zia people and Zia Pueblo of New Mexico, whose sun symbol appears on the state flag. The second part is the Greek word for a small shield, a reference to the armour of ankylosaurs. The species name, sanjuanensis, refers to the San Juan Basin where it was found.

Named by

Arbour et al.

Year named

2014

Period

Late Cretaceous

Stage

Campanian

Found in

Kirtland Formation, San Juan Basin, New Mexico, USA

Valid ankylosaurid genus; the type species is Ziapelta sanjuanensis. The authorship list and exact year are given from memory, so check them against the original paper.